Promoting gender equality 8% 8% 52% 32% Across the region and around the globe, women and girls continue to face entrenched discrimination and grievous violations of their fundamental rights. That is why it is critical that the APF equips our members to champion the rights of women and girls in all aspects of their work. We also encourage our members to advance gender equality within the internal operation of their NHRIs. very high high medium low very low no response ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY 2020: VALUE TO MEMBERS OF PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY The APF Gender Strategy, now in its third year, supports our members to achieve these goals by: • Providing APF-led training courses and workshops on the human rights of women and girls • Building understanding and skills in relation to gender mainstreaming within their NHRIs • Strengthening partnerships with key UN agencies on gender-related activities. A key target has been for at least 11 member institutions to be engaged in an APF-led activity on gender and for seven of those NHRIs to demonstrate they are taking steps to prioritise the rights of women and girls following their participation. Since the start of our strategic plan, 17 APF members have participated in our programs on gender and eight have prioritised work on the rights of women and girls. The Ombudsman of Samoa noted that the support provided by the APF greatly assisted the NHRI in successfully conducting its landmark national inquiry into family violence. WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2019–20 • Published a world-first guide for NHRIs on mainstreaming gender across all aspects of their work and internal operations • Provided practical support, advice and training to representatives of nine APF members on gender mainstreaming and the rights of women and girls • Worked closely with nine APF members to discuss and record their experiences of responding to the gendered nature of human rights issues related to COVID-19 WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/USER/ASIAPACIFICFORUM In August 2019, the APF published a world-first guide to support NHRIs in their efforts to promote gender equality. The Guidelines for Mainstreaming the Human Rights of Women and Girls into Our Everyday Work: • Provide a step-by-step approach for NHRIs to develop and implement a gender mainstreaming strategy • Explain how gender mainstreaming can strengthen internal NHRI operations and culture • Identify ways that gender can support an NHRI's external work. The Guidelines were used as the foundation for a new APF training program delivered during the year. 12 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS