A/HRC/12/14 Page 6 21. On the improvement of the situation of women in education and employment, Vanuatu will ensure that gender is a prime matter to be integrated and taken seriously by various Government departments. She cited projects targeting both women and men, such as one ensuring that stoves used in communities are built to an appropriate height in order to be userfriendly for women. Vanuatu has also recently launched its ILO Decent Work Country Programme, whose second priority is promotion of decent employment opportunities, particularly for young women and men and persons with disabilities. 22. Ms. Lesines said that the 83 islands of Vanuatu have different cultures. On some islands in northern Vanuatu, land is owned by women and passed down through female lineage. The Government is addressing gender equity in its current land reform programme, emphasizing that women should be allowed to take part in the decision-making process regarding land issues throughout Vanuatu. This programme will train women to become adjudicators in land disputes. 23. Vanuatu disagrees with reports by non-governmental organizations that customary law could be used to deny women equality in other areas despite constitutional guarantees, because there are landmark cases in Vanuatu where the judge decided in favour of women. 24. Concerning the question of amending the Constitution to include disability, economic status, sexual orientation or HIV/AIDS status as prohibited grounds for discrimination, such groups were already covered under the Constitution as underprivileged people. 25. Vanuatu acknowledged the importance of the Paris Principles and would set up a national human rights commission after the universal period review, requesting technical assistance in that regard. Vanuatu saw no difficulty in extending a standing invitation to special procedures to visit the country and was doing so. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 26. A number of delegations welcomed Vanuatu’s delegation, its comprehensive presentation and constructive engagement in the universal period review process. Many welcomed their presence despite difficulties, such as their lack of representation in Geneva. Some also thanked Vanuatu for its response to questions posed in advance. Some delegations took positive note of Vanuatu’s efforts and commitments to the promotion and protection of human rights and ratificaiton of some core international instruments, despite its small size as a developing country. 27. Australia recognized the particular challenges faced by small States not represented in Geneva in preparing for the universal period review and appearing before the Working Group. Congratulating Vanuatu on legislative steps towards the elimination of domestic violence against women and children, including through the Family Protection Act, it recommended (a) taking prompt action to implement the new legislation. Commending Vanuatu’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Australia expressed satisfaction that it was working with Vanuatu to help improve services to people with disabilities. Australia noted that Vanuatu reported to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 2007 and ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2008. Noting that there have been repeated escapes from Vanuatu's prisons and reports of police abuse of escaped prisoners after they have been recaptured, Australia recommended (b) taking appropriate measures and continuing to work towards improving conditions in prisons and detention centres. 28. Noting that Vanuatu is a party to several important human rights instruments, Algeria recommended that it (a) continue to fulfil its obligations under international treaties and