A/HRC/13/12 promotion and protection for human rights, many other ministries have portfolios that impact on the enjoyment of those fundamental rights and freedoms including ministries with responsibilities for education, health, housing, urban development, youth, sports, economic development, labour and national security. 9. The work of non-governmental organizations has contributed in a significant way to civil society’s appreciation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. The National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, established in September 1996, has actively promoted the rights of free association and the role of civil society in national governance. The Dominica National Council for Women is the leading nongovernmental advocate for the rights of women, and monitors compliance with obligations. 10. The delegation stated that it has made commendable progress in the advancement and promotion of women’s rights, gender mainstreaming, and the overall empowerment of women. In adherence to its commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women (Convention of Belem do Para) and other international conventions ratified by Dominica, successive Governments have been proactive in guaranteeing equality and non-discrimination in the treatment of women. 11. The delegation highlighted the ratification of the following treaties: Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 1990; Optional Protocol to CRC on the involvement of children in armed conflict; Optional Protocol to CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1993); International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1993); InterAmerican Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women (Convention of Belem do Para, 1995); Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery. 12. In addition, Dominica has taken legislative action and passed the following laws: the Protection against Domestic Violence Act 2001, the Labour Contract Act which embodies the principle of equality between men and women and prohibits differences in rates of pay for the same work based on the gender of the employee and the Social Security Act which provides for 12 weeks maternity leave. Also, male public sector workers are now entitled to paternity leave pursuant to an agreement between the main trade union and the government signed in December 2008. The amendment to the Title by Registration Act to accommodate low cost transfer of property between spouses. This has given a tremendous boost to married women’s property ownership. 13. The delegation indicated that a National Gender Policy was completed in 2006 and ratified by the Cabinet in September 2007. This policy aims to achieve gender equality by eliminating discrimination against women in the policy arenas of health, economic development, violence-producing conditions, education and skills training, and power and decision-making. 14. A number of programmes and activities have been undertaken to give effect to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In terms of policy, a protocol on Joint Police and Social Services investigation into child abuse cases is to be established. A review process for the Status of Children Bill, and the Child Adoption Bill is underway while a new piece of legislation, The Children and Young Persons Act, seeks to incorporate specific provisions of CRC into domestic legislation. The Education Act No. 11 of 1997 has been amended to provide early childhood education for children from 0 to 5 years instead of from 3 to 5 years as was previously the case. The Protection Against Domestic Violence, Act No. 22 of 2001, contains specific provisions covering various forms of violence against 4