CHAPTER 2: REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN THE WORK OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS: KEY FINDINGS 2.3. Key findings on work practices and experiences 2.3.1 No NHRI has a program, focal point, strategy or work area dedicated to reproductive rights Even amongst those NHRIs that did report substantive activities or achievements in the area of reproductive rights, none were able to point to a dedicated area, focal point or program of work. Many of the innovations and good practices reported in Part 3, for example, were one-off activities or undertaken through existing programs related to the right to health or to women’s rights. “We have looked at some issues (such as on sexual violence, discrimination, criminalization of abortion, etc), but not as part of an overall strategy on reproductive rights.” NHRI Respondent: written communication (emphasis in original). 2.3.2 There has been limited but important work done on reproductive rights The majority of participating NHRIs reported that they had done at least some work to promote and protect reproductive rights. Most respondents were able to describe activities or achievements that were directly relevant to core issues of reproductive rights. Most of these are reflected or explored in more detail in the following part. Examples provided generally fall within the following broad categories: l Raising awareness about reproductive rights through research, production and dissemination of information, the holding of workshops and seminars, etc. l Providing advice to government on legislation and policy related to reproductive rights l Advising or advocating on specific issues related to reproductive rights l Referring individuals to service providers; l Mediating/responding to complaints of violations of reproductive rights; Several respondents noted that although they were able to provide some examples, they had in fact done very little work on reproductive rights. One explained that: “we have done limited work because others - NGOs, government agencies and community health services – are active”. Three NHRIs stated that, to date, they had undertaken no substantive activities with respect to reproductive rights. Two of the three cited competing priorities as the main reason why they had not engaged with this issue. The other NHRI explained that lack of activity in this area was due to a lack of knowledge about reproductive rights. The same respondent noted that the questionnaire had prompted an internal discussion as to how this issue could be advanced in the future. 15