CHAPTER 4: CHALLENGES, RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES sufficiently informed to do so. It can be expected that the very low rate of complaints related to reproductive rights reported by most institutions is an example of this cascading effect. 4.2. Challenge: Competing priorities and resource constraints Most NHRIs are entrusted with a broad mandate to contribute to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights. However, most institutions do not have the funds or the personnel to undertake the work that is already required or demanded of them. Choices must be made as institutions strive to match limited resources with identified needs and priorities. For some NHRIs, this means that without external support, focused attention on reproductive rights is simply not achievable in the short- or medium-term. For others, competing priorities and resource constraints mean that the current approach of ad-hoc consideration of reproductive rights in the context of other thematic areas, such as health or women’s rights, must be continued. “The present staffing limitations, both in terms of numbers but also expertise, impede the institution to be fully involved in these issues for the next few years at least”. Provedore of Timor Leste: written communication The majority of NHRIs consulted for this study had either formally or informally decided to focus their attention on particular issues or areas of concern. The Australian Human Rights Commission, for example, has identified human rights education and violence as the overarching theme of its work for the next few years. All activities and programs must relate to and reinforce these priorities. While reproductive rights can certainly be incorporated into these two issue areas, the opportunities for this to happen without active effort are likely to be limited. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka provides another, very different example of an institution whose priorities have been set by national circumstances, in this case a protracted internal armed conflict. In relation to reproductive rights, the Commission’s observation that “[o]ther priorities have taken precedence. We have not had time to think about these issues too carefully”, is not surprising. The Human Rights Commission of Nepal reported a similar focus on conflict-related violations, to the exclusion of less high profile issues such as reproductive rights. “We do care about reproductive rights and we think this is an important issue. However, sometimes these things are just a question of resources”. NHRI respondent: telephone discussion There is a clear link between awareness of particular rights and the manner in which an institution’s needs and priorities are identified. In other words, issues or areas that are not well understood within a NHRI, its constituency or the broader community will generally not be prioritized for action. The Australian Human Rights Commission used the example of a ‘listening tour’ conducted by its Sex Discrimination Commissioner. Reproductive rights were not directly addressed during this exercise and were not identified as a major issue by those 35