Promoting and Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Girls A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Acknowledgements Protecting and Promoting the Human Rights of Women and Girls: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions is a publication of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF). This manual was written by Dr Anne Gallagher AO, international human rights lawyer and practitioner, whose association with the APF dates back to its establishment in 1996. Anne was a UN official from 1992 to 2003, including four years as Adviser to High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson. Since 2003, she has worked with the governments of South East Asia on the issue of human trafficking and is recognised as a global expert on the subject. An independent and award-winning scholar, Anne has written many books, journal articles, handbooks and manuals on women’s rights, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and the rule of law. She is the author of Integrating Reproductive Rights into the Work of National Human Rights Institutions of the Asia Pacific Region, published by APF and UNFPA in 2011. Research assistance for this manual was provided by Ms Andrea Zakarias. Ms Pip Dargan, APF Deputy Director and Gender Focal Point provided strategic advice. Ms Lisa Thompson (JAG Designs), Mr James Iliffe (Black and White Media) and Ms Suraina Pasha from the APF also contributed in their respective ways to the development of the manual. The manual was enriched through materials, case studies and comments from representatives from APF member institutions, including: Mr Ahmed Tholal (Human Rights Commission of the Maldives); Dr. Ali Al-Dabbas (Jordan National Centre for Human Rights); Ms Alison Aggarwal and Ms Simone Cusack (Australian Human Rights Commission); Mr Bed Bhattarai (Nepal Human Rights Commission); Ms Liezl Parajas (Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines); Mr Md. Tajul Islam Chowdhury (Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission); Dr. Savita Bhakhry (National Human Rights Commission of India); Ms Sue O’Shea (New Zealand Human Rights Commission); and Ms Yen Sin Chua (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia). The APF also wishes to thank reviewers from other organisations which commented on the draft manuscript, including: Professor Andrew Brynes (University of New South Wales); Ms Antje Kraft (UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre); Ms Barbara Nazareth Oliveira (UNDP Timor Leste); Mr Michael Chan (Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission); and Ms Lucinda O’Hanlon and Ms Pia Oberoi (OHCHR). This is dedicated to the women and girls of the Asia Pacific region. ii