while less common independent permanent gender commissions and independent permanent human rights commissions were used as oversight institutions in of countries in canada the house of commons standing committee on the status of women created in is mandated to oversee the status of women canada the lead national mechanism at the federal level see box this allparty 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