A/68/290 such an attitude would be problematic for a number of reasons. It fails to do justice to the complex realities and wishes of many human beings, in particular women living in different religious communities. Although frequently suffering from discrimination within their religious communities, many women nonetheless feel attached to their religions and may wish their attachment to be recognized as part of their freedom of religion or belief. Moreover, internal differences, developments and dynamics often do not receive sufficient systematic attention. This in turn can lead to stereotypical perceptions of religions or beliefs which may further exacerbate existing prejudices against persons adhering to those religions or beliefs. Ample experience indicates that this danger disproportionately affects women from religious minorities. Indeed, it is a bitter irony that policies aimed at eliminating stereotypes in the field of gender may themselves produce or reproduce stereotypes and prejudices in a different area, namely in the area of religion or belief. There are even examples of right-wing populist or extremist movements utilizing elements of gender-related anti-discrimination programmes with the ill-concealed intention of stoking collective resentments against unwelcome religious minorities. 43. Freedom of religion or belief does not shield religious traditions, or religions as such, against criticism, nor does it protect members of religious communities from critical questions. However, States should contribute to the elimination of negative stereotypes against individuals on the basis of their religion or belief, in particular members of religious minorities. Stereotypical perceptions can lead to a depersonalization of the human person. By being subordinated to a seemingly closed collective mentality, individuals have few opportunities to make their personal views, interests and assessments heard. They seemingly lose their faces and voices, as it were. Obviously, such de-personalization goes against the spirit and the letter of human rights which empower human beings to express their convictions, views and interests freely and without discrimination. States are therefore obliged to develop effective strategies to eliminate stereotypes, including gender-related stereotypes and stereotypical images of persons based on their religion or belief. Education programmes, awareness-raising campaigns, interreligious and intercultural dialogue initiatives and other measures can help broaden horizons towards an appreciation of the real diversity and creativity of human beings in this broad field. 44. Policies for eliminating gender-related stereotypes, in fulfilment of State obligations under the Convention, should therefore be pursued in conjunction with policies for avoiding and dispelling stereotypical perceptions of persons based on their religion or belief, in keeping with the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. 45. There is no inherent normative contradiction between those two tasks. Taking freedom of religion or belief into account in gender-related anti-discrimination agendas may prima facie lead to additional complications. However, there is ultimately no legitimate way to ignore the complex realities, wishes and claims of human beings whose problems fall in the intersection of freedom of religion or belief and gender equality. Freedom of religion or belief should thus be systematically integrated into gender related anti-discrimination programmes as an element of their own quality management. Vice versa, policies promoting freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief should systematically integrate a gender perspective in order to uphold the universalistic aspirations that define the human rights approach in general. 12/22 13-42191