A/HRC/44/25 mechanisms – that is, the Council, the universal periodic review, special procedures and treaty bodies – offer valuable entry points for strengthening the role and participation of civil society in creating spaces for dialogue and finding human rights-based solutions to civic space restrictions, including in sensitive contexts. 46. In relation to measures to address gender-specific barriers to participation that women and girls face, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti engaged with women ministers to push the gender rights agenda and advocated for political parties to include at least 30 per cent women among their candidates (as mandated by the Constitution) and in decision-making positions. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan advocated for increased participation and representation of women and gender equality, including in peace processes and other political decision-making mechanisms, and some of the Mission units regularly sensitized community leaders and authorities on the need to promote and enhance the participation of women and girls. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) advocated for and supported civil society efforts to promote women’s political inclusion, resulting in the appointment of two female customary chiefs to the South Kivu and Congo Central provincial assemblies. MONUSCO also trained over 860 journalists to promote gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory communication in the media and coverage of elections. 47. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq regularly called on the Government to protect the life of protestors and ensure accountability for human rights violations. In December 2019, the Mission brought together 15 young activists aged 12 to 17 to discuss Human Rights Committee draft general comment No. 37 on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. In 2019, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic established a civil society platform to systematize the response to incitement to hatred as part of its support to national authorities. Similarly, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia helped to establish platforms for discussions between government and civil society to address local grievances and to pilot interventions to address the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization. In addition, MONUSCO facilitated dialogues between the authorities and civil society to help identify peaceful solutions to conflicts. D. Protection of civil society actors 48. International norms and standards guarantee people the right to life, liberty and security of person; the right to be free from torture, arbitrary arrest and detention; the right to privacy; the right to be free from undue interference in their enjoyment of public freedoms (expression, assembly and association); and the right to participation. Threats and attacks against civil society actors and undue restrictions on public freedoms and rights are attacks against the values and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and are in direct violation of international norms and standards. 49. In its resolution 38/12, based on international human rights law, the Council urged States to: (a) Take all steps necessary to prevent threats, attacks, discrimination, arbitrary arrests and detention or other forms of harassment, reprisals and acts of intimidation against civil society actors; (b) Investigate any such alleged acts; (c) Ensure access to justice and accountability; (d) End impunity where such violations and abuses had occurred, including by putting in place, and where necessary reviewing and amending, relevant laws, policies, institutions and mechanisms to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment in which civil society could operate free from hindrance, insecurity and reprisals. 50. Safe space for civil society is not only a prerequisite for effective human rights progress, it is also a precondition for sustainable development and peace. United Nations mapping showed that less than one third of United Nations entities have clearly spelled out policies on protection of civil society actors from threats and attacks. Indeed, during the global consultations, civil society actors urged the United Nations to develop a better 11