A/HRC/10/80 page 5 21. In accordance with the principle of non-discrimination, the issues of gender and gender equality were incorporated into all national policies and strategies. Great efforts had been made at both the political and economic levels with a view to protecting and promoting women’s rights. 22. Despite the measures adopted by the State to promote education for girls, inequality persisted. Her Government would continue its efforts to remedy that situation. 23. In the health sector, the Hospitals Act guaranteed equal access to health care for all. Mothers’ and children’s health were still major priorities in national development programmes. Steps had been taken to reduce maternal and child mortality, for example. 24. As for women’s social and economic situation, all projects and programmes implemented under the poverty reduction strategy framework took due account of women. Other measures included: implementation of the national microfinance strategy action plan, which would promote women’s access to microfinance; construction and renovation of the “maisons des femmes” and centres for the advancement of rural women; and the establishment of a national commission for follow-up of Burkina Faso’s commitments in the area of women’s rights. 25. Strategies had been developed to eliminate violence against women, including awareness campaigns, prosecution of perpetrators and care for victims. 26. With regard to female circumcision, she said that efforts were under way in the field, in cooperation with technical and financial partners, NGOs and other associations. A national committee to eliminate female circumcision was likewise working at the grass-roots level. By law, practitioners and their accomplices were prosecuted, tried and punished. A “Zero tolerance for female genital mutilation by 2012” action plan was being implemented. Medical care was provided to victims. 27. Burkina Faso had a law on trafficking in persons and similar practices. In the area of cross-border trafficking of children, it had signed a bilateral agreement with Mali and a multilateral subregional cooperation agreement to combat child trafficking. It had likewise signed a cooperation agreement with the countries of western and central Africa on combating human trafficking, especially trafficking of women and children. 28. On the issue of sexual exploitation and sexual violence, in 2005 Burkina Faso had ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. 29. In 1999, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Government had launched a national programme to eliminate child labour. It organized public information and awareness campaigns and promoted a policy of socio-economic development for families at risk. Legal or disciplinary sanctions were imposed on persons responsible for child trafficking or trading, or violence against children. A sectoral action plan relating to young girls working in urban areas had also been adopted. 30. In follow-up to the commitments made on the occasion of its candidacy for membership of the Human Rights Council, Burkina Faso had adopted laws authorizing the ratification of the