Section 6: Semi-Structured Interviews Methodology As a qualitative method the semi-structured interview enabled the GBA team to gain a more indepth understanding of the situation in the specific NHRI interviewed. The information from the interviews complemented the ‘outsider’ (GBA team) review of documents and the quantitative ‘insider’ (NHRI self-assessed) responses to the survey. Given the time constraints for the completion of the GBA, it was decided that five interviews, one from an NHRI in each of the APF sub-regions, would enable us to gain some insight. An interview framework was developed based on the GBA indicators but was used as a guide only. Notes were made for each NHRI interviewed as a result of the document review – gaps, queries, or clarifications – and these were followed up during the interview. The interview also gave the NHRI an opportunity to raise questions with the GBA team. Each interview was conducted by the two members of the Gender Baseline Assessment Team – APF Gender Focal Point and Consultant – and generally took up to an hour. The interviews were recorded, and notes were taken during discussions. Each recording was then reviewed and, with the back-up from the notes taken, key points were identified against the indicator areas. Where there were commonalities across at least two of the five sets of interviewees, these were anonymised and noted as findings. Table 2 details the data gathered from the interviews under the main GBA areas. The findings below are in summary. Findings Key overall findings 1. The commitment to gender equality and intention to protect and promote gender rights was strongly evident in all interviews. This includes those countries where there is a lack of recognition or protection for equal rights for women. In these cases, some NHRIs have advocated for legislation repeal and/or development. 2. In some countries, by law and cultural context, gender is defined in a female/male binary. Nevertheless, while not proactively progressing the rights of gender diverse people, NHRIs continue to receive and address LGBTIQ+ related human rights concerns. 3. NHRIs prioritise, provide, and report on, gender focused activities across multiple NHRI functions. Some NHRIs have a gender strategy that ensures equitable gender inclusion. 4. One NHRI interviewed had undertaken an independently facilitated gender audit resulting in recommendations and a gender action plan. Others regularly review polices to ensure they are gender mainstreamed. Gender Baseline Assessment of NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region – July 2024 34