A/HRC/12/46 page 14 42. Indeed, several special procedures mandate holders have addressed the intersections between the focus of their mandate and violence against women in the course of their work.22 These efforts have contributed to an expansion of the normative understanding of women’s human rights as well as of the avenues for addressing violence against women in different contexts. This work could be further encouraged by the Council by addressing violence against women during interactive dialogues with States and special procedures mandate holders, and by encouraging greater dialogue and collaboration between mandate holders on issues of violence against women. 43. While the application of a gender perspective by special procedures is welcome, it should be noted that to date it has resulted primarily in highlighting interlinkages between forms of violence against women, while a broader gender perspective or analysis with respect to any given mandate is largely absent. In addition to encouraging synergy between mandates, and with the violence against women mandate in particular, the Council could also encourage all mandates to mainstream a gender perspective into their work, as well as to periodically consider dedicating their reports or other activities to the specific intersections between their mandate and the human rights of women and girls. Given the diversity of the existing mandates, this would enrich the body of knowledge on the multiple forms of discrimination and human rights violations against women and girls, identify important intersections, and provide valuable qualitative analysis of their human rights. 22 For example: the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment addressed various forms of violence against women as forms of torture in a recent report to the Council (A/HRC/7/3). Through this report, the Special Rapporteur contributed towards an understanding and an application of the torture protection framework which is gender-inclusive, with a view to strengthening the protection of women from violence by recognizing that violence against women is a form of torture. The former Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living and on the right to non-discrimination in this context addressed the intersections between violence against women and the denial of the right to adequate housing. The Special Rapporteur documented the greater vulnerability to various forms of violence which women face as a result of a lack of access to housing. The Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 2002/49 on women’s equal ownership of, access to and control over land and equal rights to own property and to adequate housing, entrusted the Special Rapporteur with the additional task of preparing a study on women and adequate housing. The Special Rapporteur presented his main findings, stemming from thematic research, country missions, regional consultations and replies received to a questionnaire, in three reports (E/CN.4/2003/55, E/CN.4/2005/43 and E/CN.4/2006/118). The former Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders recognized the particular vulnerabilities of women human rights defenders to gender-based and gender-intensified violence because of their gender as well as the nature of the work they often do which defies social and cultural norms (E/CN.4/2002/106 and subsequent reports).