United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems Guideline 8. 49. 19 Legal aid for witnesses States should take adequate measures, where appropriate, to ensure that: (a) Witnesses are promptly informed by the relevant authority of their right to information, their entitlement to assistance and protection and how to access such rights; (b) Appropriate advice, assistance, care facilities and support are provided to witnesses of crime throughout the criminal justice process; (c) Child witnesses receive legal assistance as required, in line with the Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime; (d) All statements or testimony given by the witness at all stages of the criminal justice process are accurately interpreted and translated. 50. States should, where appropriate, provide legal aid to witnesses. 51. The circumstances in which it may be appropriate to provide legal aid to witnesses include, but are not limited to, situations in which: (a) The witness is at risk of incriminating himself or herself; (b) There is a risk to the safety and well‑being of the witness result‑ ing from his or her status as such; (c) The witness is particularly vulnerable, including as a result of having special needs. Guideline 9. Implementation of the right of women to access legal aid 52. States should take applicable and appropriate measures to ensure the right of women to access legal aid, including: (a) Introducing an active policy of incorporating a gender perspective into all policies, laws, procedures, programmes and practices relating to legal aid to ensure gender equality and equal and fair access to justice; (b) Taking active steps to ensure that, where possible, female lawyers are available to represent female defendants, accused and victims; (c) Providing legal aid, advice and court support services in all legal proceedings to female victims of violence in order to ensure access to justice and avoid secondary victimization and other such services, which may include the translation of legal documents where requested or required.