ANNEXES 19 1 NHRI models and legal framework 1.1 OVERVIEW National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are public, state-funded bodies that are, nonetheless, functionally and institutionally independent. Their legal authority is usually derived from their parliament and is referred to in this Handbook as the NHRI “mandate”. The most important feature of the NHRI mandate is the responsibility to protect and promote human rights. This may include activities such as the handling of complaints, monitoring public and private actors, advising governments, carrying out legislative reviews, engaging in promotion and advocacy, conducting human rights education and working with civil society. All of these have the potential to contribute to the protection and promotion of women’s rights and gender equality. The scope of NHRI activities will depend on the mandate of the institution.