Ashrawi's toughness has meant that she has been criticised for being hard or bossy but she feels that it is vital for women to take up the challenge of a society dominated by men - to present a different view. She believes they must also have the support of other women to help them.

"I think for women to gain access to political power they should first of all not work alone, they should work within a network of women and there are support systems and if they don't exist we should help create them. Because our society has been patriarchal, male dominated, it is important that women change this attitude and to do that they have to challenge and to present an alternative, a different view. And it is women who dare to make the difference who are the pacesetters, who are the women who break the barriers and who make it easier for other women to do the same."