A/HRC/24/6 of victims and land restitution leaders. The delegation stressed that the Unit was not an intelligence agency; its sole purpose was the protection of life and human rights. 100. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, poverty had fallen by 4.5 percentage points in the last two years, reaching 32.7 per cent in 2012. During the same period, the proportion of the population living in extreme poverty fell by 1.9 percentage points, to 10.4 per cent. Additionally, the Government had achieved a reduction in inequality, thus bringing the country to the regional average and improving its position in the international ranking. The Government was committed to ensuring inclusion and social mobility for all Colombians. In November 2011, the Social Inclusion and Reconciliation Sector had been established. The Department for Social Prosperity led this sector. The flagship programme to fight poverty – More Families in Action – had benefited over 2.7 million families. Additionally, the Government had launched a programme to build 100,000 free houses intended for victims of violence, the poor and the vulnerable. 101. Unemployment in Colombia in 2012 stood at 10.4 per cent, the lowest level since 2001, despite the international economic slowdown. 102. In the area of education, the delegation highlighted the introduction in 2012 of free universal education to the eleventh grade, which had benefited more than 8.5 million students. Also, dropouts had been reduced and the illiteracy rate of people between the ages of 15 and 24 had fallen. 103. The Colombian health system still faced enormous challenges. Nevertheless, the delegation noted that the entire population had guaranteed access to health care either through insurance or under the system in place for the uninsured poor population. 104. The State had made significant progress in the comprehensive protection of children. It had set up a single information system that facilitated monitoring of the progression of the rights of children. Also, investment in children had increased to up to US$ 9.8 billion in 2011. Malnutrition levels had decreased from 16 to 13.2 per cent, and the Government was committed to a comprehensive care strategy. In addition, children’s nutrition continued to improve. 105. The State had instituted programmes to reduce the risks associated with teen pregnancy, sexual violence, use of psychoactive substances, child labour and illegal recruitment by organized groups outside the law. The delegation noted that the State did not recruit minors. This violation of international humanitarian law was committed only by armed groups outside the law. 106. The Government recognized the impact that the armed conflict had on children. Since 1999, the Colombian Family Welfare Institute had provided 5,170 children with comprehensive support under a specialized programme for the care of children demobilized from armed groups outside the law. 107. With respect to indigenous peoples, the mechanisms for dialogue and consensus had been strengthened. Colombia had made significant progress in building its own systems of intercultural education and health care for indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, as well as methods of addressing issues of sexual violence and forced recruitment and combating impunity. However, Colombians continued to face structural and historical challenges. 108. Regarding dialogue with civil society and the National Plan of Action on Human Rights, the delegation noted the establishment, in 2011, of a National System and a National Conference on Human Rights. The system dealt with issues that had been identified in the Plan of Action, coordinated 63 public institutions, developed indicators of economic, social and cultural rights, and advanced other specific policies. For instance, in 12