10 INTEGRATING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INTO THE WORK OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION During the follow-up discussions, all surveyed NHRIs confirmed that their mandate extended to reproductive rights: that on a technical or legal level, there was no obstacle to their engaging with reproductive rights. The way in which the reproductive rights mandate was identified and described differed significantly (see text box below). Some NHRIs with a broad mandate considered that the issue of reproductive rights fell generally within the “protection and promotion of human rights”. Others noted that their mandates were linked to treaties and national constitutions or legislation protecting, for example, economic, social and cultural rights or the rights of women and children, and that these instruments provided the mandate for engagement in the area of reproductive rights. Several NHRIs stated that while their mandate did not refer specifically to reproductive rights, the relevant matters could be dealt with under the right to health and thereby brought within the scope of the institution’s work. Perceptions of NHRIs’ role/mandate with respect to reproductive rights “[Our Commission] has a role in advancing the reproductive rights as they are the integral part of the right to health.” “[Our] primary role is the promotion and protection of human rights, which includes the promotion and protection of reproductive health rights.” “[We have] a mandate to promote, protect, and monitor all human rights, including reproductive rights.” “[Our] role is to promote and protect all rights including economic, social, cultural & civil and political rights. Health is guaranteed by the ICESCR as well as other relevant conventions ratified by [our country] including the CEDAW and CRC.” “[Reproductive rights] are integral to the highest standard of health and to equality between men and women.” “As the national human rights institution … [we] can and should undertake strong advocacy measure on reproductive and sexual health rights.” “Reproductive rights are related to women’s rights which is considered one of our main areas of concern.” “As a NHRI, we do have a role to play regarding the measures taken by the State to protect and promote women’s rights, including those encompassed within reproductive rights.”