A/HRC/31/10 administrative and technical resources. Barbados commended Saint Lucia for having a Constitution that afforded all persons protection against violence and applauded the efforts made to bring women, especially women in rural areas, into the mainstream of society by improving their access to educational and vocational training opportunities. Barbados noted the attention given to enhancing the security of citizens with the enactment of the Police Complaints Act, which provides for an independent investigation of cases of excessive use of force alleged by members of the public. Barbados made a recommendation. 51. Maldives expressed its understanding for the challenges and constraints faced by Saint Lucia as a small island developing State and applauded the commendable progress made. It was pleased to see that gender equality had been addressed through numerous initiatives, most notably through education, to ensure women achieve higher levels of empowerment. It congratulated Saint Lucia for its work on ameliorating the health sector, for example the establishment of the National Action Child Protection Committee in 2012. Furthermore, it commended the introduction of the Single Mothers in Life Enhancement Skills programme in 2012 and the National Social Protection Policy in 2015. It appreciated efforts made to address issues related to the education of children. Maldives made recommendations. 52. Canada noted that Saint Lucia had accepted the recommendation made by Canada in the context of the previous universal periodic review to ensure the prompt and thorough investigation of alleged acts of violence against individuals because of their sexual orientation. Canada requested an update on progress in that regard. It made recommendations. 53. Chile drew attention to the implementation of social programmes for improving the quality of life of Saint Lucians, including the implementation of a vast housing programme and the expansion of access to safe water and sanitation. Chile valued the measures to alleviate discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population. Chile made recommendations. 54. Colombia noted the commitment of Saint Lucia to implement the recommendations received during the first cycle of the universal periodic review and welcomed the establishment, in 2012, of the National Action Child Protection Committee. It also praised the work to create a universal health insurance. Colombia made available to Saint Lucia its experience in the field of human rights. Colombia made recommendations. 55. Costa Rica recognized the economic and institutional constraints faced by Saint Lucia to meet many of its international obligations and welcomed the constructive spirit of the Government during the universal periodic review. It expressed concern about the underrepresentation of women in political decision-making positions and the weakness of the justice system, which should be strengthened within the framework of a progressive development of human rights institutions. Costa Rica considered that Saint Lucia could benefit from technical assistance and cooperation with the universal human rights system and hoped that the Government would gradually further interact with it, for instance, through the ratification of additional international human rights agreements. Costa Rica made recommendations. 56. Cuba thanked Saint Lucia for its national report, which demonstrated its authorities’ commitment to the universal periodic review. Cuba welcomed the efforts made to further improve the economic, social and cultural rights of the population, such as the adoption of a food security policy aimed at reducing hunger and providing greater access to affordable, nutritious and quality food, the policy and national strategic action plan for housing and the continued implementation of the public assistance programme. Cuba noted the progress made to empower women and the increased efforts made to promote and protect the rights 9