A/HRC/22/9 63. With respect to the protection of women, the delegation mentioned the Act of 9 January 2012 on the Prevention and Punishment of Violence against Women. Before that Act, the Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the United States Government, had also implemented the Women’s Justice and Empowerment Initiative project to protect women victims of violence. Through that project, many members of the criminal justice system had been trained in the various procedures for the care of victims of gender-based violence. The rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims were also prioritized in all of the procedures. 64. The delegation also said that Benin had drafted a national policy for the advancement of women and gender equality in order to correct unequal gender relationships and achieve gender equity and equality by 2025. The National Council for the Promotion of Gender Equity and Equality had been set up under the authority of the head of State. Its task was to ensure that gender was taken into account in development programmes and policies. Similarly, the head of State had created and set up the National Institute for the Advancement of Women on 9 March 2009. 65. Morocco welcomed Benin’s progress towards abolishing the death penalty and requested more information on the draft legislation establishing a national and independent mechanism to prevent torture. It welcomed Benin’s plans to adopt measures to ensure that prison conditions complied with international standards and to reform the judicial system. It asked whether human rights formed part of judges’ training and whether the number of judiciary staff would be increased. 66. Namibia welcomed the Government’s decision to abolish the death penalty and highlighted the robust policies and mechanisms that Benin was putting in place to address social and economic inequalities, which had already brought improvements to health, education and the water supply. It asked the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to continue providing assistance to Benin in the area of human rights. Namibia made recommendations. 67. The Netherlands commended Benin on ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. It noted that Benin had continued working on the protection of vulnerable groups on the ground, but that certain issues, such as trafficking of women and children, female genital mutilation and sexual harassment persisted. The Netherlands made recommendations. 68. Nigeria commended Benin’s strategy for combating poverty and the programmes and policies in place to promote citizen welfare. It noted with satisfaction the creation of human rights institutions and welcomed the establishment of national bodies on gender equality and women’s advancement. It urged the Government to adopt measures to ensure their effectiveness. Nigeria made a recommendation. 69. Norway said that Benin’s ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, reflected the positive trend on human rights protection and set the standard for other countries in the region to follow. Although Benin has adopted legislation to counteract trafficking in children, human trafficking remains a serious problem. Norway made recommendations. 70. Pakistan applauded the strengthened legal and institutional frameworks for promoting and protecting human rights, which has helped to empower women and ensure improved access to health care and free education. It welcomed Benin’s endeavours to combat corruption and raise living standards. It requested more information on the role of the Ministry of Family Affairs in promoting women and children’s rights. Pakistan made recommendations. 71. The Philippines acknowledged Benin’s actions to improve the standard of living; reduce resource imbalance and empower women. It welcomed efforts to improve access to 10 GE.12-18655