A/HRC/13/40 practice and prohibit the abuse of the female body.37 The General Assembly also referred, in its resolution 63/181, to the need to address the situations of violence and discrimination that affect many women as well as other individuals on the grounds or in the name of religion or belief or in accordance with cultural and traditional practices, and the misuse of religion or belief for ends inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations, as well as other relevant instruments of the United Nations. 59. The State may also envisage providing a forum for interreligious and intrareligious dialogue. However, such a dialogue should neither be formulated in a compulsory or condescending manner nor imposed by the State. The States’ policies in this regard should give room and space for the variety of religions and beliefs, thus encouraging opportunities for interaction and understanding. The best approach to interreligious and intra-religious dialogue is when the initiative for such activities comes from the religious communities themselves, for which the State may then provide facilities or some funding. B. Role of religious leaders and civil society 60. Religious leaders and civil society as a whole may play an important role in supporting and encouraging religious tolerance. For example, it may be useful in defusing emerging tensions in a given society if religious leaders clearly affirm the importance of the right to freedom of religion or belief for everybody and in all its dimensions. This includes a reaffirmation of the right to convert to a different religion or express views on other religions or beliefs, even if such views are considered contentious. At the same time, all actors have to abide by the prohibition of advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, pursuant to article 20, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 61. Members and leaders of different religious communities should envisage participating in interreligious and intra-religious dialogues at various levels and with a wide selection of participants. While joint declarations and statements by religious leaders are important, the Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize the vital role of initiatives, meetings and joint actions at the grass-roots level. It is evident that interreligious dialogue alone does not solve underlying problems; however, it may be a first step in the right direction. Interreligious dialogue should not only be an intellectual and theological exercise, but should also prompt the silent majority to look for a common strategy on how to reduce tensions and promote tolerance. Exchanges of views should also include believers who are dispassionate about their faith as well as atheistic and non-theistic believers and members of religious minorities. Any dialogue would also greatly benefit from the views of women, who tend to be marginalized in major interreligious and intra-religious dialogue events. Women are among those who suffer the most from religious intolerance, yet the Special Rapporteur has noticed that groups of women from different religions or beliefs have been very effective human rights advocates in situations of communal tensions. 62. Artists may also play an important role in educating the public about religious tolerance and building bridges between different communities. Journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders can also make a difference, especially when their statements and actions transcend religious boundaries. There are a number of 37 18 A/HRC/4/21, para. 38. GE.09-17648