Promoting and Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Girls A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions In relation to the human rights of women and girls, the NHRI should consider addressing an issue that is either highly significant for one group of women – for example, migrant women, girls in school or pregnant women – or one that has broad and general significance for all or most women, such as discrimination in employment or access to justice. Consultations with key target groups: The NHRI should ensure that the subject and scope of the inquiry are supported by those communities that are most affected. Part of the preparatory phase should involve consultation with relevant communities and community leaders in order to better understand the issues and ensure that the terms of reference for the inquiry are appropriate. Consultations may also be useful in identifying special requirements – for example, around language, literacy, confidentiality and security – that need to be taken into account when developing the consultation process for the inquiry. The NHRI should use the pre-inquiry consultations to explain the concept and process of a national inquiry to the groups most directly affected, as well as provide information on the inquiry’s goals and how it will be conducted. Consultation with other stakeholders: It is good practice for the NHRI to identify and consult with those who have a stake in the inquiry and its outcomes. As noted above, such consultations can help build understanding about and support for the inquiry. It can facilitate the process of the inquiry itself by ensuring that those with information and insights are able to contribute. Consultations can also help the NHRI in its own preparation; for example, by ensuring that the terms of reference for the inquiry and the staffing of the inquiry team are appropriate to the task. The key stakeholders will be different for each inquiry. In relation to inquiries involving the human rights of women and girls, stakeholders may include government departments and agencies, employer groups, trade unions, NGOs and academic experts. Woman from New Zealand. Photo by Jeremy Bank, reproduced under a CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license. 72