NHRI Guidelines for Mainstreaming the Human Rights of Women and Girls into Our Everyday Work 7. Court proceedings and interventions A gender mainstreamed NHRI … Possible actions • Applies a gender lens to court proceedings and interventions. • Identify opportunities to use the NHRIs powers of intervention to bring the human rights dimensions of gender-based discrimination to the court’s attention that may not otherwise be considered. • Has staff who can effectively litigate for gender equality within the mandate of the NHRI to intervene in proceedings or as amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’). 8. Thematic inquiries and investigations A gender mainstreamed NHRI … Possible actions • Conducts thematic inquiries on gender-based human rights violations. • Use relevant powers of investigation and inquiry to undertake a public inquiry into systemic gender-based human rights violations. • Applies a gender lens to all inquiries. • Has staff and inquiry teams who are competent to apply a gender lens to inquiry and investigations processes. • Ensure the inclusion of appropriate gender considerations in non-gender focused inquiries. 9. Engagement with international human rights mechanisms A gender mainstreamed NHRI … Possible actions • Prioritises and adequately resources monitoring and reporting on the State’s performance of human rights commitments under CEDAW. • Facilitate advocacy and awareness raising initiatives involving government ministers, parliamentarians and key officials of relevant ministries and departments. • Includes gender considerations in its monitoring and reporting to UN human rights treaty bodies and other human rights mechanisms. • Promotes gender equality and the rights of women and girls across the region and in international activities. • Forms partnerships with international bodies working toward gender equality. • Has staff who understand the international human rights framework and standards and their importance to the achievement of gender equality. 44 • Use formal mechanisms, such as NHRI reports or submissions to government or other inquiries, to explain the importance of ratification and to address any potential obstacles. • Facilitate education and outreach activities to share information with the community, NGOs and other civil society stakeholders about the importance of ratifying a particular human rights treaty. • Identify opportunities to promote ratification through engagement with the international human rights system; for example, submitting information to the universal periodic review process.