36 INTEGRATING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INTO THE WORK OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION consulted. Accordingly, the priorities identified by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner do not specifically include reproductive rights. With some exceptions, issues related to reproductive rights generally fall with the “economic, social and cultural rights” rubric. It is relevant for the present study to consider whether the general tendency of human rights systems and processes to prioritize civil and political rights has impacted on the way in which NHRIs have or have not integrated reproductive rights into their work. When asked for their views on thematic areas of reproductive rights that NHRIS could be engaged in, respondents tended to agree most strongly with a potential role for NHRIs in areas that related to civil and political rights. When questioned, most NHRIs were quick to point out that their work covered all areas of rights, and that there was greater awareness of, and decreasing resistance to economic, social and cultural rights. Several institutions went further, identifying a marked shift in their work towards a more holistic view of human rights. However some institutions noted that bias towards more traditional conceptions of human rights was still very strong. The Commission for Human Rights of the Philippines, for example, was subject to a legal challenge for its work in the area of economic, social and cultural rights. The Commission is expecting to be similarly challenged as it begins to work more directly on issues related to reproductive rights. 4.3. Challenge/Risk: Sensitivities and controversies related to reproductive rights All NHRIs consulted for this study confirmed that at least some aspects of reproductive rights are sensitive and/or controversial and that this has affected the extent to which reproductive rights have been integrated into the work of the institution. However, the present study has found that the nature and depth of sensitivities and controversies differ significantly from institution to institution. “These matters are still taboo. We need to expand the society’s visions related to reproductive rights.” National Centre for Human Rights of Jordan: telephone communication While most NHRIs did not view sensitivities around reproductive rights as an internal problem, a small number noted that reluctance to court controversy or negative attention could lead the NHRI to self-censor its work. One NHRI pointed to the political process by which Commissioners are appointed. The strong influence of religious institutions in that country meant that those appointed with support of the religious community did not want to touch sensitive issues that could offend or upset those who were responsible for their appointment. For some NHRIs operating in highly conservative and patriarchal societies, it is the link between reproductive rights and women’s empowerment that appears to be particularly problematic. Political, social and cultural resistance to genuine equality between women and men presents an initial hurdle to engaging in reproductive rights that can be very difficult to surmount. As a result,