A/HRC/40/5 expansion of basic health insurance and the strengthening of free health-care services for children under 5. 19. Viet Nam welcomed the public policies to protect and promote economic, social and cultural rights, and the efforts made in the area of education and the rights of children, women and young persons. 20. Yemen took note of the new sustainable development strategy until 2030, and the measures taken against slavery and human trafficking and the promotion of gender equality. 21. Zimbabwe noted with appreciation the increase in the budget for the Senegalese Human Rights Committee and the development of a basic health insurance scheme. 22. Afghanistan commended the referendum-based constitutional reform and the Law on Nationality. 23. Albania praised the fifth francophone seminar on the implementation of recommendations from the universal periodic review. 24. Pakistan appreciated the efforts made to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment, and commended the national action plan adopted in 2017 to eliminate gender-based violence and promote human rights. 25. Angola encouraged Senegal to continue efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular objective three, and commended the measures to eradicate tuberculosis. 26. Argentina took note of the measures designed to eradicate child marriage and ensure peace in the Casamance Region. 27. Australia welcomed the adoption of a national strategy on gender equality and nondiscrimination of women. It noted that the national human rights institution lacked the necessary resources to function independently. 28. Austria welcomed the progress achieved by Senegal, particularly in creating a Ministry for Children’s Affairs. 29. Azerbaijan observed with interest improvements in the rights of children. It noted the significance Senegal attached to gender-based violence. 30. Bahrain welcomed the steps taken to strengthen its legal framework for the protection of women’s rights and gender equality, enabling a considerable number of women to enter parliament. 31. Bangladesh welcomed the balanced approach in reviewing its existing legal environment to strengthen democracy and ensure the rule of law. It commended the efforts made to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, women and children. 32. Belarus noted with satisfaction the efforts to improve national legislation, particularly concerning the promotion of the rights of women and the achievement of gender equality. 33. Belgium welcomed the progress of Senegal during the period under review, but noted that many areas of concern persisted concerning children’s and women’s rights. 34. Benin welcomed the measures and initiatives to ensure the enjoyment of human rights, bringing the national judicial system into line with international norms. 35. Botswana commended the reforms designed to enhance democracy and encouraged Senegal to prevent child labour and smuggling of children and to reintegrate street children into mainstream society. 36. Brazil congratulated Senegal on the progress it had made in the representation of women in politics. It encouraged Senegal to take steps to prevent and tackle violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community and to continue to make efforts in the area of universal health coverage. 4 GE.18-22584