As official spokeswoman to the Palestinian delegation, Ashrawi worked alongside the fourteen negotiators in what was essentially a man's world. She believes that she brings a different perspective to politics, what she describes as a woman's approach based on the issues and not clouded by self-interest. In her view, this means that she can present the main issues in a clear, honest and even daring way, which breaks through the barriers.

 "I do bring to my political work a particularly women's approach to reality which is not based on power politics, that is not based on individual self interest, but is based on discussing the issues themselves. I have learned how not to be scared of a man's world. I have learned how to be daring, how to present my opinions, how to be able to break through all these limits that are put on women, and to try to present in a clear and honest or daring manner all the serious issues."