CHAPTER 5: TOWARDS THE FUTURE Support to enable sharing of experiences and insights Many NHRIs expressed their enthusiasm for the UNFPA-APF initiative that prompted the present report, noting that a mapping of current responses to reproductive rights as well as challenges and obstacles would contribute enormously to the current state of comparative knowledge in this area. While the present report is clearly an important first step, there was unanimous agreement among respondents that external support directed to facilitating the sharing of experiences and insights would be an important contribution to the integration of reproductive rights. Regional training and awareness raising workshops were seen as an important vehicle for such sharing. Other suggestions put forward by one or more institutions included the nomination of a reproductive rights focal point; allocation of space on the APF website for posting of activities and experiences; and staff exchanges and visits. Support to promote internal partnerships NHRIs are acutely aware that they should not carry sole or even primary responsibility for realization of reproductive rights at the national level. While some NHRIs are engaged in service delivery, this usually occurs in situations where those who should be delivering services are unable or unwilling to do so. All NHRIs consulted viewed the promotion of internal partnership between their institution and relevant agencies (such as health ministries; religious ministries; ministries with responsibilities related to women and children; health providers; religious bodies; and civil society groups) as critical to their effectiveness in this area. While some institutions have made important progress in developing collaborative relationships, many feel the need for external advice and support to ensure that they maximize available opportunities. 5.2. An advocacy or policy role for the Asia Pacific Forum? During follow-up discussions, NHRIs were asked whether they saw a role for the APF in helping to develop a regional policy on reproductive rights. The obvious comparison in this regard (made by a number of respondents) is with APF’s work on LGBT issues, documented in the previous part. It is important to note that these discussions were very general and NHRIs were not presented with a particular plan or approach on which to react or comment. The responses are correspondingly general and impressionistic. There was widespread agreement, amongst NHRIs, that APF is uniquely and strategically placed to support their work in new areas, particularly when such areas are sensitive or controversial “We can go further with APF. We can go home and say that [a particular policy] is a regional position. That can be very helpful when we are trying to introduce new ideas or challenge old ones.” NHRI Respondent: telephone discussion 43