globe are using their broad mandates to engage with and promote and protect the human rights of women and girls living in rural areas. Through their continuous engagement with relevant actors at the national, regional and international level, NHRIs are in an ideal position to contribute to the development or adaptation of laws, policies and practices to protect human rights especially for those people who find themselves in a situation of vulnerability. NHRI monitoring of the human rights situation on the ground can give valuable insight and advice to States about some of the most pressing issues for women and girls. NHRIs’ expertise in implementing human rights in the specific context of their respective country makes them a valuable source of how to develop sustainable solutions that are adapted to the domestic needs. Therefore, the work of NHRIs on the rights of women should be of great interest to CSW, also beyond this year’s priority theme. For the same reasons, and in line with General Assembly resolutions 70/163 (2015)3 and 72/181 (2017)4, enhanced participation rights for Paris Principles compliant NHRIs, and their networks would contribute to, and enrich, the debate and conclusions at CSW. At the international level NHRIs already officially engage with UN bodies and mechanisms such as the Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), they submit information and parallel reports to other treaty bodies that cover gender equality, and deliver stakeholder reports to the Universal Periodic Review which encompass women’s economic empowerment. At a domestic level, NHRIs monitor and encourage implementation of United Nations recommendations relating to gender equality and can also provide grievance mechanisms for women suffering from discrimination or human rights abuses. GANHRI and APF are pleased to present this report on the role of NHRIs in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls living in rural areas. We look forward to engaging with CSW member states and civil society delegates to jointly address and overcome the barriers and challenges for women and girls living in rural areas so they too can fully enjoy their human rights as well as contribute their skills, experience and abilities to society. 3 4 http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/163. http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/72/181. 2