Empowering National Human Rights Institutions to Advance Rights-Based Climate Action 17 Participation and Access to Information Agency and Empowerment Social Norms and Context This dimension promotes inclusive, gender-sensitive participation in decision-making processes. It ensures equal access to information, respects free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), and addresses barriers to participation, such as social norms and stereotypes. It also highlights the importance of recognising whose knowledge and voices are valued in decision-making. This dimension aims to enhance the ability of marginalised groups to exercise their rights and influence policies. It focuses on recognising and strengthening individual and collective agency, capacities, and leadership, and promoting collective learning and action. When considering agency and empowerment in data analysis, the focus was placed on understanding how individuals and groups, particularly those who are marginalised or disadvantaged, exercise their ability to make decisions, take actions, and influence the conditions that affect their lives. This dimension seeks to transform social and gender norms that contribute to inequality and vulnerability. It examines how inequality and privilege are produced within social groups and works to change perceptions, attitudes, and practices that perpetuate these inequalities. It also recognises the social norms that support the enjoyment of fundamental rights. The social and cultural norms in each of the NHRI’s countries were considered in data collection, analysis and reporting. The data analysis employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to identify patterns and trends related to key challenges, gaps, and needs. Thematic analysis of interview and focus group data were also used to identify most common themes among the NHRIs.