54 HANDBOOK FOR NHRIs ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY legislation and policies, national action plans, or gender-responsive budgeting at the national level. While an analysis of the mandates and programmes of the national mechanisms for gender equality is beyond the scope of this publication, more information can be found in the publication National Mechanisms for Gender Equality in South-East and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia: Regional Study.32 ODIHR Recommendations should advocate for the adoption and full implementation of legislation → NHRIs and policies that protect women’s rights and promote gender equality. should provide assistance by reviewing national legislation and iden→ NHRIs tifying gaps, highlighting problem areas in the existing legal framework, and contributing to the development of new laws and policies. NHRIs should also monitor the impact of laws and policies on women’s rights and gender equality, and report on these to the government. NHRIs should monitor the development of national action plans related to → rights of women or gender equality. They should also monitor the actual implementation of such national action plans. should assist governments to implement gender mainstreaming, includ→ NHRIs ing by developing gender-assessment strategies for all government draft legislation, policies, programmes and activities. should liaise with government officials on a regular basis. This should → NHRIs not be limited to government officials who are focused on women’s rights or gender equality issues, but should include all government departments and government institutions whose work has an impact on these areas. 32 UN, Dono Abdurazakova, National Mechanisms for Gender Equality in South-East and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia: Regional Study, 2010