A/HRC/21/65 from the perception of women human rights defenders as victims of violations, which rendered their role as conscious agents and initiators of positive action invisible. She also noted that effective mechanisms must address the specificity of each case as well as the broader social and political structures. 36. Mr. Abdelgadir emphasized that countries in transition should implement protective measures so that women human rights defenders could continue working without the risk of violence. 37. In their concluding remarks, the panellists referred to existing efforts and practices with regard to prevention and the protection of women human rights defenders, including the adoption of national plans and the development of genderspecific mechanisms. The panellists urged the United Nations system to continue to pay particular attention to the implementation of the principle of civil society participation in all its activities and to support national and regional human rights processes. They requested the Human Rights Council and States to publicly recognize and support the work of women human rights defenders, including through awareness-raising, the documentation of violations and good practices, and the challenging of stereotypes of women. This would forge a path towards equality in all areas, including that of protection for women human rights defenders. Political will was highlighted as a fundamental requirement for improving the protection of women human rights defenders. The participants agreed that combatting impunity was critical in combating violence against women and offered recommendations for assisting women human rights defenders. 11