Unit 3: Reception and Registration for Mandate RSD Where, as a result of cultural or social factors, women are more likely to be excluded from involvement in public and administrative matters affecting the family unit, UNHCR Offices should take any additional measures required to ensure that women asylum-seekers, including women who are accompanied by male family members, receive the general information regarding the RSD process, their rights and responsibilities as asylum-seekers, and the right to make an independent refugee status claim should they have individual protection needs (see also § 3.2.6 – Registration Interview of Family Members and Dependants). 3.1.4 Counselling on UNHCR RSD Procedures As a general rule, asylum-seekers should have the opportunity to meet with a UNHCR staff member, or designated UNHCR partner, before the RSD Interview, to receive general information on the RSD process and procedures. While UNHCR Offices should take reasonable steps to accommodate requests for individual counselling, where counselling relates to general procedures applicable to all or to certain caseloads or profiles, it may be conducted on a group basis. Efforts should be made to provide counselling and assistance to Applicants with specific needs or vulnerabilities, including unaccompanied and separated children, individuals with mental health conditions or physical or intellectual disabilities, and applicants in detention. Counselling to asylum-seekers should be provided by persons who are trained and knowledgeable about UNHCR and the procedures for RSD in the relevant UNHCR Office. 3.1.5 Confidentiality in Reception Procedures All UNHCR staff should take appropriate measures in reception to preserve the confidentiality of UNHCR RSD procedures and the privacy of asylum-seekers. UNHCR staff should avoid calling the names of asylum-seekers in the presence of other asylum-seekers. Alternative methods (including assigning numbers, distributing cards etc.) should be used when communicating with or about asylum-seekers in these areas. The facilities and procedures in UNHCR Offices should permit Applicants to provide identifying biodata or other personal information to UNHCR staff under conditions that do not undermine the right to privacy and confidentiality of personal data. UNHCR staff should not request the assistance of other asylum-seekers or refugees in reception to provide interpretation, unless no qualified interpreters are available and there are no other means to communicate with asylum-seekers in reception. Where the services of another asylum-seeker or refugee must be used, the directions set out in § 2.5.3 – Interpretation by Persons other than UNHCR Interpreters should be followed. 101