The APF has launched a new NHRI Gender Strategy Toolkit to help National Human Rights Institutions take a more structured approach to advancing gender equality within their organisations.

The toolkit responds to findings from the APF Gender Baseline Study, which highlighted both regional progress and the ongoing challenge of translating gender equality commitments into sustained institutional change.

The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance to help NHRIs assess current practices, identify gaps and develop gender strategies tailored to their context. It also includes tools and templates to support implementation, monitoring and accountability.

The toolkit was developed collaboratively with APF members across the region, including a reference group of member institution representatives and gender equality practitioners. Their feedback on early drafts helped ensure the resource reflected the opportunities and challenges facing NHRIs in diverse national contexts.

The draft toolkit was tested through the APF’s blended learning programme on Developing an NHRI Gender Strategy, which brought together participants from 18 NHRIs. Participants applied the toolkit through exercises and group work, then provided feedback on its relevance, usability and application within their institutions.

This feedback informed the final revisions, strengthening the toolkit as a practical and adaptable resource for NHRIs at different stages of their gender equality journey.

The toolkit is intended to help NHRIs move beyond standalone initiatives and towards a more systematic, institution-wide approach to gender equality. It recognises that meaningful and sustainable change requires leadership commitment, staff engagement, clear planning and effective mechanisms to monitor progress over time.

By providing a structured framework and practical guidance, the toolkit aims to support NHRIs to strengthen internal policies and practices, create more inclusive workplaces and enhance their capacity to promote and protect the human rights of all people.

The development of the NHRI Gender Strategy Toolkit reflects the APF’s ongoing commitment to supporting member institutions to embed gender equality across their work and operations while strengthening regional cooperation and peer learning on gender equality practice.