Chapter 3 Integrating reproductive rights: innovations and emerging good practices As detailed above, reproductive rights are, with only a few exceptions, a new issue for most NHRIs. Among those institutions that have begun to work in this area, their activities have not been sufficiently broad or deep enough to support robust case studies. Accordingly, it is not yet possible to identify lessons learned or even established good practices at the systemic level. The purpose of this present section is a correspondingly modest one: to provide information on activities, policies and approaches of individual institutions that serve to illustrate how NHRIs are beginning of the process of integrating reproductive rights into their work. It is important to acknowledge that at least some examples cited below may be limited in their ‘transferability’ to other institutions and settings. Nevertheless, in addition to their illustrative value, the examples also serve to reinforce other aspects of this report: illustrating many of the trends and findings identified in the previous section and providing additional context for both challenges and opportunities discussed in Part Four, below. 3.1. Innovations and good practices in relation to awareness raising and education The Paris Principles identify human rights education and awareness raising as central functions of national human rights institutions.25 All APF member institutions are mandated to engage in human rights education and awareness raising, and a recent UN report noted that around 90% of NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region are actively working in this area.26 Typical activities include: production and distribution of information materials; organizing of seminars, workshops and discussion groups; research into particular human rights issues; mainstreaming of human rights into existing curricula within the formal education system; and delivery of technical training to specialist groups such as government officials and criminal justice agencies. All NHRIs participating in the present study identified for themselves a current or potential role in raising awareness and educating about reproductive rights. Identified targets include vulnerable groups (women, young women, rural women, members of ethnic or religious UN General Assembly, ‘Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions’ UN Doc. A/RES/48/134 (20 December 1993), Annex. at paras. 3(f) and 3(g). 25 UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Survey on National Human Rights Institutions: Report on the Findings and Recommendations of a Questionnaire Addressed to NHRIs Worldwide (2009), pp. 34 and 55. 26 21