A/HRC/31/37 central component of family policies. As indicated in one submission, the family is the first shield against any form of violation of children’s rights. 60 73. In Bahrain, a child protection centre was established in 2007 to provide social, psychological and legal assessment, treatment and follow-up services for child victims of ill-treatment, physical and sexual abuse, and psychological neglect. In Cabo Verde, a network of youth centres, emergency centres and tele-centres provides care, counselling and psychological support for children at risk. Chile has adopted a similar preventive approach to its child protection policy with 175 focused prevention programmes aimed at precluding violations of children rights. In Oman, child protection committees focus on preventing violence, exploitation and abuse. 74. The national action plan for orphans and vulnerable children of Zimbabwe supports the implementation of community-based child protection programmes and includes a central HIV and AIDS mitigation component. Child protection committees are responsible for the implementation of the action plan. V. Conclusions and recommendations 75. The review of international human rights law and practice is illustrative of a broad consensus regarding the potential contribution of families to the well-being and development of their members and of society as a whole. It further reveals the convergence of international human rights standards, on the one hand, and of the universally accepted outcomes of international conferences and summits, on the other, regarding the recognition of the role of families in ensuring the right to an adequate standard of living of their members, including by promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction. The 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development is the latest expression of that international consensus, committing States to promote cohesive families as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to sustainable development. 76. The consensus regarding the role of families in sustainable development is grounded in a number of common elements, including the need to recognize the diverse and changing forms of the family institution, in accordance with the different social, cultural and economic characteristics of every society; the promotion of equality between men and women; and the effective protection and promotion of the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons and all family members, without distinction. Moreover, ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, should be an integral part of development efforts. 77. The submissions received from States and other stakeholders reveal that the implementation by States of their obligation to protect and support families may take many forms, ranging from legal measures to a wide range of social protection policies and programmes, including family-focused policies as well as family-based approaches to general policymaking. 78. The design and implementation of policies in the context of the 2030 Agenda should be guided by a human-rights based approach that supports families in performing their valuable societal functions, while respecting and ensuring the effective realization of the rights of family members. 60 18 See submission from Association Pope John 23rd, p. 2.