A/HRC/32/11 recommendations, Palau was also confronted with the reality that it would not be possible to fully implement some of the recommendations within the given time frame. 8. The Government strengthened its efforts to implement the recommendations and deal with emerging issues, such as the effects of climate change and natural disasters on human rights. The delegation reiterated that some issues were complex and required extensive resources and nationwide consultations, such as the ratification of core treaties, human trafficking, migrants, displacement and loss of land, property and homes due to climate change. As a small island developing State, Palau has limited resources to address these multidimensional issues. It urged the members of the Human Rights Council to take these circumstances into account when proposing further recommendations. 9. Despite the challenges, the Government had worked hard and was proud to report on a number of significant achievements, including the creation of the Reporting Committee on United Nations Human Rights Treaties, new legislation to address gender-based violence, the revision and approval of the new Penal Code, the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the establishment of a gender and disability office within the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, the hiring of a Human Rights Officer under the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, the development of policies for persons with disabilities, the completion and submission of the overdue periodic report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and giant steps in signing the remaining core treaties to which Palau was not a party. 10. On advice from the members of the 9th Olbiil Era Kelulau (Palau National Congress), Palau will work towards establishing a national human rights mechanism to handle matters related to human rights. 11. On gender equality and women’s rights, the delegation asserted that, while Palau had yet to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, many positive steps had been taken. A Bureau of Aging and Gender had been established within the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs and further to recommendations from the first review, Palau enacted the Family Protection Act in 2012 to address domestic violence. Palau was also taking steps to implement this new legislation and welcomed the support of international partners in this endeavour. 12. In line with the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration of 2012, Palau was exploring ways to improve services for victims of gender-based violence, such as safe houses, counselling, immediate health responses and protection orders for victims and children. In line with the Family Protection Act, the Family Protection Committee was established and has been active in promoting awareness of the new law, affording people comfort and safety in reporting sexual assault and domestic violence. 13. Support for women in leadership positions has increased with a number of advocacy programmes and the establishment of the Centre for Women-Empowered Belau. 14. Responding to the recommendations from its first review, the delegation reported that marital rape was now criminalized under the Family Protection Act. The President of Palau, Tommy Remengesau Jr., and the current (9th) Olbiil Era Kelulau, Palau’s National Congress, showed tremendous support in ensuring the safety and protection of the people of Palau, especially children, through the revision and approval of the new Penal Code, 2014. The new Penal Code includes regulations on the use of force against children and other persons under the care or control of another. The new Penal Code also covers labour trafficking, anti-smuggling and anti-trafficking crimes and offences, as well as child exploitation. 15. Palau began the process of domesticating the Convention on the Rights of the Child through various legislative initiatives, including the adoption of the new Penal Code, which 4