A/HRC/13/66 2004 and 2008, progress in the implementation of a poverty reduction strategy launched by the Zelaya Government has been limited. The situation deteriorated during 2009 due to the impact of the economic crisis, which is expected to continue in 2010. 51. In addition, while there was already a serious lack of financial resources before the coup and public services were thus affected, the de facto Government has also been responsible for a high degree of turnover among senior officials of public entities, particularly affecting social services. 52. The political turmoil and the harmful effects of curfews and other restrictions of fundamental freedoms have had a serious impact, particularly on the enjoyment of the rights to education and health. Several hospitals and health-care centres have suffered from a severe shortage of medications and other necessities, due to the curfew and the lack of resources or delays in delivering medication. In addition, doctors and medical personnel have frequently been on strike demanding payment of their salaries. This situation has compromised access to health for the most vulnerable, particularly HIV/AIDS patients who have suffered serious consequences due to discontinuity in antiretroviral therapy. 53. The right to education has been affected by repeated strikes resulting in the cancellation of a large number of classes.21 The Teachers’ Union played a leading role in the protests against the coup and due to their active participation in demonstrations, schools operated only intermittently. Some school principals faced legal proceedings initiated by the Fiscalía special prosecutor for children, on the grounds that the strikes violated children’s right to education. This initiative was reportedly aimed at putting pressure on school principals to resume classes. 54. These problems impacted mostly on public rather than private schools, deepening the gap in the quality of education between affluent and poor students. In addition, the de facto Government ordered schools to end the school year four weeks before the scheduled time, in order to prepare for the elections. 55. The curfews and other restrictive measures also affected the right to food for the most vulnerable segments of the population, who faced additional problems due to the unexpected suspension of freedom of movement, at times for more than three consecutive days. During the failed attempt by President Zelaya to return in late July, curfews were applied at the border with Nicaragua in Paraiso (Yoro department). Hundreds of people were thus prevented by the security forces from reaching the border, or returning to their homes and thus accessing food, water and basic goods for at least two days. 56. In these circumstances, the precarious state of social services deteriorated further, affecting the most vulnerable segments of the population, who are very dependent on such services. Given that disaggregated information is not available and considering the short time that has elapsed since the coup, the impact is difficult to measure, but it is probably greatest on vulnerable populations such as indigenous people, Afro-descendants, femaleheaded households and children. 7. Women’s rights and discrimination issues 57. Women’s movements complained about an increase in violence against women during the crisis, together with a decrease in complaints to the authorities, due to lack of confidence in them. Hundreds of women have been victims of abuse, including some cases of rape, ill-treatment and torture committed by police and army officials, particularly in the context of demonstrations. The mission met with some of these victims and witnesses and 21 GE.10-11700 More than 100 days of class were lost according to the special prosecutor for children. 13