A/HRC/41/4 keeping victims of family violence safe, holding perpetrators to account, and promoting consistent, collaborative responses to people experiencing family violence. 27. New Zealand had been the first country in the world to give women the right to vote. Women held some of the highest offices in the country. The current Prime Minister was not only the third female Prime Minister, but also only the second in the world to give birth while in office. Notwithstanding historic achievements in gender equality, New Zealand could do more to ensure a truly inclusive and fair society. It had a severe problem with gender-based violence. Women were still concentrated in lower-paid occupations, while also shouldering the majority of unpaid caring responsibilities. The Government had a strategy to support the appropriate valuation of New Zealand women’s contribution in the labour market, including the introduction of an equal pay bill in 2018. On a positive note, women also made up nearly 40 per cent of Parliament – the highest level ever. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 28. During the interactive dialogue, 77 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 29. Denmark noted that the Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to explore avenues to assist the Government with regard to the possible withdrawal of the reservations that New Zealand had made to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 30. Egypt appreciated progress made by New Zealand in promoting human rights, which had included the adoption of a national plan for following up on the implementation of the recommendations from the previous review. 31. El Salvador noted with satisfaction the accession by New Zealand to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and efforts for asylum seekers and refugees. 32. Estonia noted positive steps taken to ensure the implementation of recommendations from the previous review, in particular the launching of an interactive online tool and the efforts to increase the protection of the rights of children. 33. Fiji congratulated New Zealand on its National Plan of Action for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights. It commended New Zealand for action to build a systematic approach to counter family violence, and for initiatives on climate change. 34. France welcomed the priority afforded by New Zealand to the defence and promotion of human rights. 35. Georgia commended New Zealand for submitting two national action plans under the Open Government Partnership. It welcomed the establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry and the Serious Offences Unit. 36. Germany commended New Zealand for an exemplary record of accomplishment on human rights and efforts to improve the situation of marginalized groups, particularly its intensified efforts to reduce child poverty. 37. Greece appreciated the achievements of New Zealand in the field of human rights, especially on gender equality. Greece commended measures to tackle domestic violence and to alleviate social and economic disparities. 38. Honduras commended New Zealand for implementing the recommendations received in previous reviews and noted the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 39. Hungary noted action taken to implement recommendations from the previous cycle. It welcomed the designation of child poverty as a priority and commended the introduction in 2018 of the Child Poverty Reduction Bill. 5