national gender institutions and the gender mainstreaming strategies and practices they develop implement coordinate and promote are of vital importance in achieving genderequal societies globally bolster the capacities mandates authorities and resources of central gender institutions and gender focal points across the government to facilitate a consistent response throughout government to develop and implement gendersensitive and responsive programmes policies and laws across sectors these should be supported by effective oversight mechanisms for the implementation of gender equality reforms including relevant legislative committees supreme audit institutions andor independent commissions this can be particularly important in government departments that may not identify their portfolio as having gendered dimensions such as defence and trade ministries