Clarity of the mission and the mandate of these institutions, including cross-sectoral authorities to promote gender equality and mainstreaming are also critical to ensure the effectiveness of these institutions. In terms of the responsibilities, not unlike in OECD countries, the primary focus is on the policy functions of developing policy proposals, providing expert advice and making policy recommendations (Figure 3.5). Yet few gender institutions in the MENA region are involved in guiding the development of gender-disaggregated data, monitoring the implementation, enforcing gender-related policies and conducting research.