A/HRC/29/12 review. Denmark noted that, following its first review, Guinea-Bissau had ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) and signed the Optional Protocol to CAT (OP-CAT), in 2013. It indicated that the Convention against Torture Initiative, which aimed to assist Governments in overcoming technical obstacles to ratification, stood ready to explore avenues to provide assistance to Guinea-Bissau if that were deemed helpful. It made a recommendation. 31. Djibouti congratulated Guinea-Bissau on presenting its national report, and noted with satisfaction the actions that had been taken to promote and protect human rights, notably the adoption of a plan against trafficking in human beings, particularly women and children. It made recommendations. 32. Egypt recognized the measures that had been taken to enhance human rights, notably the enactment of the law on preventing and fighting against human trafficking, especially that of women and children. It urged Guinea-Bissau to pursue the same positive path, with a view to further promoting human rights. It made recommendations. 33. Estonia commended the ratification of several treaties and encouraged GuineaBissau to continue its efforts to become a part of all main international human rights instruments. It noted the progress in implementing previous recommendations, which had included the criminalization of female genital mutilation and the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act. It was concerned about recurrent harmful practices and strongly urged the authorities to step up efforts to eradicate such practices. It was also concerned at the high illiteracy rate, the low school attendance rate and the discrimination against girls. It made recommendations. 34. Ethiopia commended the adoption of the National Policy of Equality and Gender Equity, and the National Strategy Paper on Poverty Reduction 2011–2015. It noted the special attention given to children’s rights and the aim of improving basic education for all children, as well as progress in combatting infant mortality. Ethiopia encouraged GuineaBissau to work further on the existing mechanisms to fully implement the recommendations received during its first UPR review process. It made recommendations. 35. France welcomed the progress made by Guinea-Bissau in restoring democracy and strengthening the rule of law, especially through the proper holding of parliamentary and presidential elections in 2014 as well as by launching major reforms in the security sector. It made recommendations. 36. The delegation of Guinea-Bissau assured the speakers that it would continue to make efforts to ratify the international instruments that had been mentioned. 37. The delegation of Guinea-Bissau replied to questions raised on female genital mutilation, the education of girls, child labour, forced and early marriage, the national institution for the protection of human rights and the reform of the justice system. 38. The Government had continued its effort to raise public awareness after adopting the legislation on female genital mutilation. Some of the persons found to have been engaging in that practice had already been convicted. Those steps were a beginning and the Government intended to make further headway, in particular by raising awareness among women who engaged in those practices by tradition and by encouraging women who had abandoned the practices to join in awareness-raising campaigns by explaining all of the harm that such practices caused to children’s health. 39. Regarding the steps taken to promote education, particularly where girls were concerned, the delegation of Guinea-Bissau said that, in partnership with civil society and the World Food Programme, the school meals programme had been improved. The Government also intended to adopt a series of measures aimed at improving the rate of school enrolment and retention for girls. GE.15-07685 7