8 CONCLUSIONS AND WAY FORWARD 91 Promotion strategies Gender-based stereotypes in society are assessed by 48 per cent of NHRIs as the main challenge for women’s rights and gender equality in the societies they serve. Moreover, about two-thirds of NHRIs say they lack the resources to make women’s rights and gender equality a priority. The need for additional human and financial resources is clear. These data highlight the importance of public education and awareness campaigns in order to dismantle stereotypes about women, while developing a  broader human rights culture. Regrettably, 43 per cent of NHRIs do not undertake any public education and awareness programmes or campaigns on women’s rights and gender equality. An overwhelming majority of NHRIs state that they co-operate with civil society organizations. However, only 37 per cent of NHRIs co-operate in terms of undertaking joint training and capacity-building exercises with civil society organizations. Indeed, this area was the weakest of the three promotion strategies surveyed, the other two being public education and awareness, and research and publications. Given that only half of NHRIs direct their research, public education and awareness campaigns specifically towards women and gender equality, there is need for improvement in these areas. Advice and assistance to government The extent of NHRIs’ engagement in the development of national human rights plans, gender equality plans and specific thematic plans (such as those aimed at combating violence against women) is relatively weak in the OSCE region. Fewer than half of the NHRIs reported that they participate in the development of national human rights plans with respect to gender issues, and only 12 per cent proactively encouraged the government to develop such plans. Advocating for gender-responsive budgeting at the national level is similarly weak, with only 15 per cent of the surveyed NHRIs reporting that they conduct this activity. This is another area for further engagement in the future, and it will likely require capacity-building for both NHRIs in the context of a  broader engagement with government officials. Moreover, NHRIs’ active