A/HRC/44/11 with the indispensable support of its partners, was the stabilization of the country. Progress in that regard would be achieved through domestic initiatives and through cooperation with the United Nations and other international mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights. 21. The delegation indicated that the participation of Guinea-Bissau in the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review would be carried out in close contact with representatives of civil society and would be inspired by its strong commitment to multilateralism and progressive humanism, and always in a spirit of cooperation and with an openness to dialogue. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 22. During the interactive dialogue, 75 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 23. Mozambique congratulated Guinea-Bissau for the recent presidential elections, which were held in a peaceful and transparent atmosphere, and expressed the hope that they would contribute to bringing the country back to political and institutional normalcy. 24. Namibia expressed satisfaction that Guinea-Bissau was a party to eight core international human rights instruments and encouraged the country to take steps to ensure that the human rights contained in those instruments were promoted and protected at the national level. 25. Nepal welcomed the measures taken by Guinea-Bissau in the area of gender equality, including the adoption of the National Strategic Plan on Reproductive Health and the National Reproductive Health Programme to increase the accessibility of quality health services. 26. The Netherlands commended Guinea-Bissau on the establishment of the National Network of Human Rights Defenders and the significant efforts made in the field of gender parity but remained concerned about the high level of impunity for human rights violations. 27. The Niger welcomed the efforts of Guinea-Bissau to follow up on the recommendations accepted during the previous cycles of the universal periodic review and commended it for the initiatives taken to improve further the justice sector. 28. Nigeria noted with encouragement the efforts of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen national legal and institutional frameworks in the field of human rights and applauded the measures taken to provide quality education and increase school enrolment. 29. Oman valued the participatory process followed by Guinea-Bissau in engaging with the universal periodic review. It highlighted the strategies and programmes developed, such as the Education Sector Plan (2017–2025) and the National Health Development Plan. 30. The Philippines acknowledged the efforts of Guinea-Bissau to implement the recommendations from the previous cycle and commended its ratification of the Convention on Migrant Workers. 31. Portugal welcomed the gender parity guidelines adopted by Guinea-Bissau and the fact that the Government had full gender balance in terms of numbers of ministers. However, it noted that violence against women, including female genital mutilation, was still prevalent. 32. Rwanda welcomed the positive steps taken by Guinea-Bissau to implement the recommendations from the previous universal periodic review and commended the reforms introduced in the justice system, in particular efforts at enhancing transparency and accountability. 33. Senegal encouraged Guinea-Bissau to continue pursuing judicial and institutional reforms in order to bring the legislative, judicial and administrative framework into line with international standards and to improve education by putting in place suitable school 4