While less common, independent permanent gender commissions and independent permanent Human Rights commissions were used as oversight institutions in 20-30% of countries. In Canada, the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women, created in 2004, is mandated to oversee the status of Women Canada - the lead national mechanism at the federal level (see Box 3.7). This all-party Committee comprised of male and female members of Parliament and chaired by a member of the Official Opposition, focuses on analysing a range of issues of importance to women, scrutinising government decisions and policy advocacy.