such arrangements are also common in eastern and southeastern europe and central asia abdurazakova ministers or deputy ministers usually lead national gender institutions that function as separate ministries or those that function as part of another ministry providing highlevel support attention to women s equality may be sidelined by the competing demands of other portfolios additionally institutions that combine gender equality with either family or children s affairs may risk defining women narrowly in their roles as mothers and caregivers this affords excellent access to the apex of decision making and facilitates coordination monitoring accountability and policy development