A/HRC/13/59 discrimination is that, according to those interviewed, Ecuador does not have legislation that prohibits racism or discrimination per se. The presence of racism is an aggravating factor when accompanying the commission of an actionable crime but does not in itself constitute a crime. The experts suggest that the Government consider enacting legislation that specifically prohibits racism and discrimination. 47. People of African descent in Ecuador are overrepresented in detention centres in comparison with the general population. The experts were informed that more than 11.6 per cent of the incarcerated population is of African descent when, as has already been noted, Afro-descendents account for just over 5 per cent of the Ecuadorian population. In the city of Quito, 18.4 per cent of the prison population is of African descent, while they make up just 3.1 per cent of the city’s inhabitants. It was explained to the experts that these disproportionate figures may be due to the high levels of unemployment, low incomes, low levels of education and prevailing racism to which people of African descent are subject. E. Gender perspective 48. The National Development Plan 2007–2010 contains several provisions designed to advance the situation of Afro-Ecuadorian women. Among them, it requires CODAE to conduct education campaigns for the general public and authorities in order to eradicate racism, discrimination and sexism. It stipulates that the National Council for Ecuadorian Women will prompt the formulation of policies to redress poverty among Afro-Ecuadorian women and will include a gender and ethnic perspective in all of its programmes and policies. It also states that the Ministry of Health, together with the Pan American Health Organization, will stimulate the adoption of special measures to guarantee Afro-Ecuadorian women’s right to health. 49. The experts believe that more needs to be done to fulfil such commitments, as discrimination against women of African descent and the denial of their fundamental rights is still widespread. Women of African descent suffer particularly from poverty, poor levels of education and health problems. The experts were informed that women of African descent are particularly affected by certain skin diseases. This phenomenon should be investigated by the relevant health authorities and programmes implemented to address this health issue. 50. The experts were concerned by the number of Afro-Ecuadorian households headed by single mothers and the difficult economic circumstances which they endured. Single Afro-Ecuadorian mothers are very often employed in low-paying, unskilled jobs, especially as domestic workers, where they are often unregistered, have no health insurance or pension and suffer other forms of exploitation. They often begin having children at a very young age, reducing their possibilities for completing education and training that would allow them more opportunities in the labour market. The experts were told that, as is the case in many countries, in Ecuador women are generally paid less than men for the same work. This disparity affects women of African descent even more so when combined with the racial discrimination that they face. IV. Conclusions and recommendations Conclusions 51. The experts note with satisfaction the efforts of the Government of Ecuador to protect the human rights of people of African descent and to address the issues concerning their well-being. The experts were in a position to establish a sincere and 14 GE.10-10207