A/HRC/32/5 enrolled in school had risen from 8 per cent in 2010 to 25 per cent in 2014. Steps had also been taken to improve, and make more accessible, technical and vocational education, including through such measures as the establishment of the Directorate of Civic Education and Citizenship Training, the National Observatory for Employment and Vocational Training and the opening of eight centres to support continuing training and apprenticeships. The representative of Niger also drew attention to the efforts made to improve the school enrolment of girls, the school completion rate and examination pass rates, as well as the introduction of compulsory education until the age of 16. 40. Child mothers who were attending school were allowed to continue their studies after giving birth. 41. With regard to women in decision-making positions and elective posts, in 2010, for the first time ever, a woman had been among the 10 candidates standing for President. At the legislative elections, women had accounted for 15 of the 113 deputies elected, 639 of the 3,477 councillors and 8 of the 270 mayors. Out of a total of 36 ministers, 7 were women. In addition, the President of the Constitutional Court was a woman, as was the President of the High Court of Justice. 42. The representative of Niger also referred to the amendment of the Quota Act, which had raised quotas, and the establishment of the National Gender Observatory. 43. With regard to commitments under international law, Niger had signed the core international human rights instruments and had pledged to continue its ongoing ratification efforts. 44. A standing invitation had been extended to special procedures in 2012. 45. Niger had adopted a national plan on food, safe drinking water and sanitation for the period 2011-2015 and a national strategy on livestock water in 2014, which had led to increased access to water in rural and urban areas. 46. Steps had also been taken with regard to the right to health, in particular maternal and reproductive health, including the provision of free-of-charge services for caesarean sections, under-5 childcare, antenatal care, family planning and the treatment of female cancers. Those measures had helped reduce maternal mortality and neonatal mortality. 47. With regard to the rights of persons with disabilities, the recommendations of the 2015 Forum would be incorporated into an action plan. In addition, a social protection law had been adopted in 2011, and, following the national forum on social protection, it was expected that a definition of a social protection floor would be established. 48. In conclusion, the representative of Niger expressed appreciation for the statements of support for the efforts made and progress achieved since the first universal periodic review. Niger reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing its efforts to promote and protect human rights, in particular women’s and children’s rights. 49. Niger was also committed to further strengthening freedom of expression and its efforts to combat terrorism, corruption and impunity by enhancing its institutional and legal framework. 50. Niger was grateful to all its bilateral and multilateral partners for their unwavering support for its efforts to build a democratic, peaceful and prosperous State. 51. Lastly, Niger was aware of the scale of the challenges facing it and its obligation to meet its human rights commitments. It called on the international community to support it in its determination to promote better governance and balanced social and economic development. The representative of Niger expressed appreciation to the delegations who GE.16-05960 7