The role and activities of national institutional mechanisms in promoting and protecting minority rights 2012, para. 23
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In 2011, the Forum on Minority Issues highlighted the need for dedicated attention to guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls, who face unique challenges and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in such areas as access to education and may be vulnerable to violations, including sexual violence or trafficking. Specialist units, focal points or consultative bodies within ministries or governmental institutions on women's issues can be a means of ensuring that their issues are adequately and appropriately addressed within institutional mandates. This may require specialist or minority staff sensitive to minority issues, and gender and cultural or religious sensitivities relating to women and girls. Along the same lines, the Forum has recommended that national human rights institutions consider specific mechanisms in their secretariats for addressing issues relevant to minority women and girls.