A/HRC/37/15 118. Iceland welcomed efforts to strengthen gender equality, and to protect women’s rights, while stressing the need for improvement. 119. India welcomed the enforcement of the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, the Technical Intern Training Programme, and the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities. 120. Indonesia appreciated the implementation of various recommendations from the previous universal periodic review. 121. The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the criminalization of human trafficking, and the fight against sexual exploitation of children, child pornography and prostitution. 122. Iraq welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace. 123. Ireland noted the lack of a national legal framework for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, and expressed concern at the widening gender pay gap and the underrepresentation of women in managerial and political positions. 124. Israel mentioned the establishment of a Sustainable Development Goals promotion headquarters in Japan to advance the Sustainable Development Goals domestically and internationally. 125. Italy welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Japan’s first anti-hate speech law. 126. Kazakhstan noted the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the fourth Basic Plan for Gender Equality, the Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons, and the Basic Plan on Measures against Child Sexual Exploitation. 127. Kenya welcomed the contribution by Japan to advancing the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in many parts of the developing world. 128. Kyrgyzstan welcomed efforts to promote and protect human rights by strengthening the national legislative and institutional frameworks. 129. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic welcomed the implementation of the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace. 130. Libya welcomed efforts to implement the supported recommendations from the last universal periodic review. 131. Liechtenstein noted that Japan had not yet established an independent national human rights institution. 132. Madagascar welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the fourth Basic Plan for Gender Equality. 133. Malaysia welcomed strengthened efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, and women’s rights. 134. Maldives welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace. 135. Mexico welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 136. Mongolia welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its enactment into law. It encouraged Japan to strengthen efforts to prevent child abuse and violence against women, including foreign victims. 137. Montenegro praised the promotion of women’s rights and initiatives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, while expressing concern about the high suspension rate of sentences for offences involving sexual exploitation of children. 9