30 HANDBOOK FOR NHRIs ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY The ODIHR survey shows that NHRIs use a diverse range of protection strategies and techniques to protect women’s rights and prevent discrimination based on gender: • • • • • • Monitoring and data collection Complaint handling Systemic initiatives Remedial powers Alternative dispute resolution Advisory opinions. questions to consider ? What internal mechanisms exist to identify gender-based discrimination or violations of women’s rights, including violence against women, both in individual cases and more generally? ? What processes, such as issue-management strategies, media analysis and independent research, can be used to support efforts to identify and respond to systemic gender-based discrimination and violations of the rights of women? ? How can the NHRI monitor access to protection mechanisms? If problems are identified, what steps can be taken to improve access? ? Does the NHRI have policies in place to facilitate adequate witness/victim protection mechanisms? ? Is the NHRI linked to, or aware of, the broader referral mechanism for victims of violence against women? ? How does the NHRI ensure collaboration with civil society, experts and relevant government actors in its protection strategies?