policy-making processes in government and private entit ies to fully realize their role as agents and beneficiaries of development. The State shall institute the following affirmative action mechanisms so that women can participate meaningfully in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies, plans, and programs for national, regional, and local plans development: (a) Empowerment within the Civil Service. - Within the next five (5) years, the number of women in third (3rd) level positions in government shall be incrementally increased to achieve a fifty-fifty (50-50) gender balance; (b) Development Councils and Planning Bodies. - To ensure the participation of women in all levels of development planning and program implementation, at least forty percent (40%) of membership of all development councils from the regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels shall be composed of women; (c) Other Policy and Decision-Making Bodies. Women's groups shall also be represented in international, national, and local special and decision-making bodies; (d) International Bodies. The State shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the opportunity of women, on equal terms with men and without any discrimination to represent their government at the international level and to participate in the work of international organizations: (e) Integration of Women in Political Parties. The State shall provide incentives to political parties with women s likewise encourage the integration of women in their leadership hierarchy internal policy-making structures, appointive, and electoral nominating processes, and agenda. It shall () Private Sector. The State shall take measures to encourage women leadership in the private sector in the form of incentives. 14