CEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.4 English Page 11 communication policies with particular reference to the problems of rural women. The Division has also undertaken gender-disaggregated qualitative research and baseline surveys to identify how communication strategies and policies can help empower women. 43. During 1994-1995, the Plant Production and Protection Division held workshops in South-East Asia and East Africa for government policy makers and scientists on policies improving household horticulture and food security, with an emphasis on women’s roles. 44. The Human Resources, Institutions and Agrarian Reform Division and the Division on Women and People’s Participation in Development supported the Government of Viet Nam to develop policies on women in agriculture and rural development. Eight national institutions developed technical papers and held a national symposium at Hanoi in December 1994. Draft policy guidelines are currently being drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Committee on the Advancement of Women in Viet Nam. Also in 1994, FAO published a paper entitled "Politique et stratégie de développement en faveur des femmes rurales", an analysis of collaboration between FAO and member nations of Africa, to facilitate their policy work for integrating rural women into agricultural development. 3. Strengthening women in development machinery 45. During 1994-1995, a majority of the requests for policy assistance from the Division on Women and People’s Participation in Development centred on the creation or reinforcement of national-level women in development machinery by: training staff in management, organization and gender issues; establishing coordinating mechanisms between women in development units and other government entities and non-governmental organizations; and preparing national strategies and plans of action. Details of FAO’s activities in these areas are included in the later discussion of actions relating to the Fourth World Conference on Women. IV. INNOVATIVE MAINSTREAMING ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN 46. This section focuses on several activities undertaken by FAO during the biennium to encourage the mainstreaming of women in development gender issues into the work of the organization and of the member nations. It also discusses affirmative action issues within FAO. A. The revision of the Plan of Action 47. At the request of the twenty-seventh Conference, FAO reviewed the continued viability of the FAO Plan of Action for Integration of Women in Development (1989-1995). Despite the impact of the existing Plan, highlighted in this and the three preceding progress reports, this review found both operational and substantive needs for revisions to the Plan. Most importantly, the review recommended that the scope of the Plan and its priorities be clarified and /...