Part II Protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls: NHRIs in action Each public hearing involved the provincial governor or deputy governor, the head of the provincial judiciary, the chief prosecutor, the provincial chief police commander, relevant ministries and departments, including Islamic affairs, education, women’s affairs and social security, members of provincial council, members of clergy council, psychologists and health experts, and civil society. Victims and members of their families were also provided with opportunities to speak. At these public hearings, comments centred on misleading practices and mismanagement in the judicial departments, on impunity given to abusers and on insecurity and other social disordering. Very constructive recommendations were made from the floor for the prevention of so-called honour killings and rape. In June 2013, the Commission released the findings of its inquiry and recommendations to address violence against women.104 Women and child in Farah, Afghanistan. UN Photo by Eric Kanalstein. Experience has shown that NHRIs should consider a range of factors before deciding to conduct a public inquiry. These factors are briefly summarized below.104 104 Available at www.aihrc.org.af/en/research-reports/1571/national-inquiry-on-rape-and-honor-killing-in-afghanistan-report-summary.html. Chapter 6: Conducting inquiries into systemic violations of women’s and girls’ human rights | 69