Foreword Gender inequalities exist for women, girls and people of diverse gender identities in the Asia Pacific region and across the world. These violations include entrenched roles, attitudes and stereotypes that lead to gender-based violence, discrimination, unequal access to basic services, poverty and under-representation in leadership and decision-making roles. Women and girls also experience disproportionately the impact of conflict/post conflict situations, climate change and natural disasters. National human rights institutions (NHRIs) understand the importance of making gender equality a primary goal in their work. They recognise that a strategy of gender mainstreaming, in concert with gender specialisation, is the most effective means of achieving this goal. The NHRI Guidelines for Mainstreaming the Human Rights of Women and Girls into Our Everyday Work (the Guidelines) focus on the generic or mainstream efforts that an NHRI can undertake as part of a ‘business as usual’ approach to consider the inclusion of women and girls in all aspects of its work. Such mainstreaming efforts complement, but do not replace, the need for targeted, specialised gender equality policies and programmes, including affirmative action or special measures. Kieren Fitzpatrick Director Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions 3