NHRI Guidelines for Mainstreaming the Human Rights of Women and Girls into Our Everyday Work APF RESOURCES RELATING TO MAINSTREAMING DIVERSE GENDER IDENTITIES AND EXPRESSIONS • Manual on Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in relation to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Sex Characteristics. Available at www.asiapacificforum.net/media/resource_file/SOGI_and_Sex_ Characteristics_Manual_86Y1pVM.pdf • Part of Our Everyday Work: NHRI Guidelines for Mainstreaming SOGISC Work. Available at www.asiapacificforum.net/media/resource_file/APF_Part_ of_our_Everyday_Work_NHRI_SOGISC_Guidelines.pdf The APF can offer capacity building programs and individualised support for NHRIs, where requested. USING THE GUIDELINES The Guidelines are made up of four sections. Section 1 introduces gender mainstreaming and why it is important for NHRIs. Section 2 gives practical guidance for NHRIs when planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating a gender mainstreaming strategy. Section 3 identifies the elements of a gender mainstreamed NHRI. Section 4 features case studies with the APF secretariat, the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines. CONCEPTS, TERMS AND DEFINITIONS USED Gender and language are inextricably tied. Language communicates our attitudes, beliefs and realities and is one of the most powerful ways that gender-based discrimination is perpetuated. It is sometimes hard to know the appropriate language to use, especially as terminology continues to evolve. These Guidelines use the following terms and definitions. Cisgender refers to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with the sex assigned to them at birth. For example, a person who was born female and whose gender identity is female is a cisgender female or cis-female. A person who was born male and whose gender identity is male is cisgender male or cis-male. Cisgender is often shortened to cis. Gender refers to socially constructed characteristics, particularly norms, roles, behaviours and expectations that relate to sex categories. It varies from society to society and over time. Individuals or groups who do not ‘fit’ established gender norms often face stigma, discriminatory practices or social exclusion. Gender balance refers to the equitable distribution of opportunities and resources among genders. It also includes equal representation. Gender-disaggregated data refers to data that are collected and presented separately according to gender. They allow for the measurement of differences among genders on various other dimensions, such as social, economic and cultural dimensions. Gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all genders. Substantive gender equality is the combination of formal gender equality with equality of outcome, meaning that equality in law, equal opportunities and equal treatment of women and men are complemented by equality in impact, outcome or result. 6