A/HRC/16/44 Rapporteur “integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of his/her mandate, paying particular attention to the situation of women human rights defenders”. 27. Furthermore, in her report to the General Assembly of 2008 (A/63/288), in which she outlined her vision and priorities for her mandate, the Special Rapporteur reiterated once again the greater risks faced by women defenders, particularly those working in the area of women’s rights, and stated that “analysis of the gender dimension of the work carried out in the defence of human rights is fundamental to addressing the protection needs and the legitimacy gaps that may affect women defenders” (ibid., p. 20, para. 9). 28. In its resolutions relating to the mandate, the General Assembly has on various occasions expressed its grave concern regarding the saliency of gender-based violence and the other risks faced by women defenders.6 This concern has been echoed by the Human Rights Council, which recognized in its resolution 13/13 “the immediate need to put an end to and take concrete steps to prevent threats, harassment, violence, including gender-based violence”, and encouraged States to strengthen mechanisms for consultation and dialogue with women human rights defenders.. 29. As stated in several articles of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and, most notably in its article 12(2), the primary responsibility for developing such mechanisms, and indeed specific measures for the protection of women human rights defenders and human rights defenders in general, lies with the State. The primacy of the role of the State in promoting and protecting human rights has also been recalled on numerous occasions by the Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Council, and General Assembly in their resolutions relating to the mandate. 30. Previous analyses of the situation of women human rights defenders have tended to focus on the situation of female human rights defenders, i.e. women who, individually or in association with others, act to promote or protect human rights, including women’s rights. However, this report will have a somewhat broader scope and will include female defenders but also male human rights defenders working on women’s rights as well as on gender issues. Furthermore, account will also be taken of violations against spouses, partners and family members of both female defenders and male human rights defenders. 31. The acknowledgment of the particular situation and role of women human rights defenders and those defending women’s rights or gender issues implies the upholding of the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination. This is essential to recognizing the specific challenges and risks this group of defenders faces and to ensure their protection. C. Risks and challenges faced by women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights and gender issues 32. This section focuses primarily on an analysis of the communications sent by the mandate during the 2004-2009 period.7 The analysis is based upon the communications sent during this period which addressed violations against women defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues and against their family members, identifying the nature of the activities carried by the reported victims, as well as the alleged violations and perpetrators, with a view to identifying possible trends. 6 7 See General Assembly resolutions 62/152 and 64/163 A/HRC/13/22/Add.1; A/HRC/10/12/Add.1; A/HRC/7/28/Add.1; A/HRC/4/37/Add.1; E/CN.4/2006/95/Add.1; E/CN.4/2005/101/Add.1; E/CN.4/2004/94/Add.3 7