26 HANDBOOK FOR NHRIs ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY by developing memoranda of understanding or other protocols between NHRIs and specialized bodies. In cases where the applicant has filed or wishes to file complaints with several bodies, it is important for these institutions to avoid overlap and potentially conflicting decisions. Hence, when submitting an application, applicants can be asked to indicate whether they have taken their case to any other institution. NHRIs should integrate a  gender perspective in their programmes and policies, even if there is a specialized anti-discrimination or gender equality body in their country. International gender equality policies – such as the UN Fourth World Conference on Women: Platform for Action (Beijing, 1995) – recommend that governments and national mechanisms should promote mainstreaming of gender perspectives in all policies and programmes, so that an analysis is made of the effects on both women and men, before decisions are taken. 18 a good practice A participating State has both an NHRI and a specialized institution that has responsibility for gender equality. The NHRI has received complaints from women about access to health care. The fact that the cases may involve gender-based discrimination does not necessarily mean that the matter should be referred to the specialized agency alone. Health care is a social right that may be in the purview of the NHRI, and there might be other issues related to the complainants’ status, such as refugee or national status, children’s rights, marital status or ethnic origin. In fact, these may be the factors in the denial of access to health care. The intersection between gender and other human rights grounds would require an investigation. Normally, the NHRI would refer gender-based discrimination cases to the specialized institution, but in situations like this one, the NHRI can partner with the specialized institution to co-ordinate efforts and cover all the issues in a single joint, systemic initiative. Complementary research could be undertaken by the specialized institution on the particular impact on women, and the NHRI can investigate whether other particular or marginalized groups may also be facing challenges in gaining access to health care. 18 Fourth UN World Conference on Women, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, H. Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women, 1995