The experiences of Eastern Europe and Central Asia are quite unique. During the time when the Communist parties were in power, women symbolically held up to 20-30% of the seats in parliament. However, women hardly represented women’s interests since parliament usually “rubber stamped” decisions taken by the male-dominated central committees of the communist parties. After 1989, the rate of women’s representation fell dramatically, often to single digit figures, in many countries. Only in recent years has female representation increased there again.