A/HRC/28/48 underage marriages. UNAMA/OHCHR urged the authorities to comply with the country’s international and national obligations and provided technical support to members of the provincial commissions on the elimination of violence against women. Overall, the functioning of such commissions varies widely across the country. In many provinces, the mechanism faces challenges such as absenteeism, lack of technical expertise and the reluctance of the relevant authorities to convene them. Some progress was observed, with the prosecution units on the elimination of violence against women under the Attorney General’s Office increasing their field presence from 8 to 18 provinces in 2014. 40. On 1 March 2014, the Government released its first report on implementation of the 2009 Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women, based on data it had gathered from 32 of the country’s 34 provinces between March 2012 and March 2013. A second report was released on 24 November 2014, covering the period March 2013 to March 2014, based on data from all 34 provinces. With the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), UNAMA/OHCHR provided significant support to the Government in preparation of the reports. The first report recorded 4,505 incidents of violence against women, of which 3,396 constituted acts that could be prosecuted under the Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women. The second report indicated a 20 per cent increase in recorded incidents of violence against women (5,406 incidents) of which 3,715 constituted acts that could be prosecuted under the law. Both reports noted that mediation of cases of violence against women, including for serious crimes, was prevalent. The second report also found that very few cases involving violence against women were resolved through a criminal justice process that resulted in sanctions against perpetrators or acquittals. The reports proposed a range of remedial actions, including establishing a comprehensive database, strengthening national and provincial commissions on the elimination of violence against women, and increasing awareness of the related Law, which are consistent with UNAMA/OHCHR recommendations. 41. The Government initiated discussions on the use of mediation of cases of violence against women by State institutions. With the technical support of UNAMA/OHCHR, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Ministry of Finance held a national conference on 16 September 2014, which resulted in the establishment of a drafting committee charged with drawing up detailed instructions outlining the methodology and criteria, including what specific acts can be mediated, as well as minimum requirements and follow-up mechanisms to regulate mediation. As mediation continues to be widespread, the development of standardized guidelines is imperative to ensure that mediation processes and outcomes are used only for specific offences and not for serious crimes and are fair, safe, voluntary, confidential, free from any form of intimidation or discrimination and in full respect of the rights and dignity of victims. 42. Over the course of 2014, the Ministry of Interior made significant progress in developing policies and directives aimed at enhancing protection of policewomen in the workplace. Serious concerns had been raised in 2013 about high levels of sexual violence and harassment, and the undermining of female police officers’ authority by male officers in the national police. In January 2014, the Minister of Interior endorsed a strategy for the integration of women in the police force intended to create a protective environment for women employed in the national police. The strategy incorporated a comprehensive definition of sexual harassment and reinforced its prohibition. Moreover, on 10 March 2014, an interministerial commission was established and tasked with drafting an action plan to implement the strategy, to which UNAMA/OHCHR provided technical support. Adopted by the Minister of Interior on 13 August 2014, the final plan outlines measures to improve the participation, protection and professionalization of women in the national police. As a result of advocacy to strengthen accountability, the plan includes the establishment of an independent and effective complaints and monitoring unit to investigate misconduct and abuse. The swift implementation of the action plan across the country is 12