6 PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FORUMS 69 • Approach ODIHR with requests for assistance, for example requesting legal reviews of draft or existing legislation related to women’s rights, gender equality, its own founding legislation or any other human rights issues; • Where these exist and it falls within their mandates, actively seek advice and assistance from OSCE field operations, or from ODIHR focal points on NHRIs and gender equality; and • Utilize visits of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office on Gender Issues to report on the situation of women’s rights and gender equality in their country. ODIHR Recommendations NHRIs should engage actively in international and regional human rights → forums, taking into account new opportunities to do so, making this part of the strategy to ensure that women’s rights and gender equality are adequately addressed. with A-status should include a separate section with NHRI contributions → NHRIs in the stakeholders report during the UPR process. This submission should ensure adequate coverage of women’s rights and gender equality. In developing the capacity of civil society to engage with UN mechanisms, → including the UPR process, special procedures and treaty bodies, NHRIs should emphasize the importance of including women’s rights and gender equality. should support the ICC campaign for independent participation status → NHRIs at the Committee on the Status of Women. should collaborate with OSCE field operations, where these exist, and → NHRIs with the OSCE/ODIHR, as appropriate. NHRIs can approach ODIHR directly or via the OSCE Field Operations, requesting a legal review of draft or existing legislation related to women’s rights, gender equality, its own founding legislation, or any other human rights issues.