This Handbook was prepared by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
This handbook offers a survey of trends, examples, questions for consideration and recommendations to guide national human rights institutions in strengthening their capacity and practical work on women’s rights and gender equality.
In 2011, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) conducted a survey to document how national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in the OSCE region address women’s rights and gender equality.
This Handbook presents the results of the survey, based on responses received from 38 NHRIs in OSCE participating States. It also provides analysis and recommendations for action.
Handbook objectives
This Handbook aims to improve the capacity of NHRIs to protect and promote women’s rights and gender equality. It offers examples and questions for consideration to guide NHRIs in strengthening their institutional capacity and practical work on women’s rights and gender equality. ODIHR conducted a survey in 2011 to document how NHRIs address women’s rights issues in the OSCE region. The survey results are documented in this Handbook and will help NHRIs to identify next steps to build their capacities and to contribute to a culture of human rights in their national contexts.
This Handbook is for NHRIs in the OSCE region that are seeking to strengthen their capacity to protect and promote women’s rights and gender equality. It can also be useful for governments and specialized institutions interacting with NHRIs and mandated to address discrimination and equality issues. The Handbook can serve as a tool for human rights activists, gender advocates, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international actors working with NHRIs.
Handbook Methodology
The information in this Handbook is based on a survey of NHRIs in the OSCE region, conducted in 2011. The survey questionnaires requested information on institutional models, human rights programming, interactions with government and civil society, and internal organizational strategies, with a view to identifying institutional features that might support or hinder efforts to protect and promote women’s rights and gender equality.
ODIHR invited independent NHRIs from across the OSCE region to participate in the survey. A total of 47 NHRIs in the OSCE participating States7 received the questionnaire, and 38 responded – an 81 per cent response rate. The survey responses were statistically analysed, and the findings are presented in blue text boxes throughout the Handbook.
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