A/HRC/40/50 50. 2018 also saw significant progress in the development and implementation of comprehensive national plans and policies, as well as in the strengthening of national legislation to protect children from violence. 51. Chile adopted a National Policy on Children and Adolescents 2015–2025. 15 The protection of children from violence within families, schools and other settings is a key priority. The Office of the Defender of Children’s Rights16 was established in January 2018. 52. Panama launched its National Multisectoral Strategy for the Prevention of Violence against Children and Adolescents 2018–2019. The Plan was developed through a participatory process and identifies strategic and well-coordinated actions by the national child protection system, and promotes mechanisms for the protection and empowerment of children and adolescents in municipalities. 17 53. In the Philippines, the Plan of Action to End Violence against Children was launched, which addresses diverse dimensions of violence. It stresses the need to strengthen the child protection system, ensure children’s access to protective services, and identify key implementation roles and responsibilities within the Government. 54. The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic launched a multisectoral plan of action on violence against children based on the findings of its 2014 national violence against children survey. As noted by the Special Representative at its launch, the plan provides a critical contribution to accelerate progress towards implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 55. Spain is developing its third National Strategic Plan for Children and Adolescents (2018–2022) to address child vulnerability, including trafficking. Legislation is being finalized to protect children from all forms of violence, including very young children abused at home.18 56. Support for the enactment of legislative measures on children’s protection from violence remained a high priority for the Special Representative in her global advocacy, policy dialogue and country missions, which in 2018 included visits to Andorra, Belarus, Chile, China, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and Spain. 57. Since 2006, the number of countries with a comprehensive legal ban has more than tripled, reaching over 50 by 2018; most recently Benin, Ireland, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lithuania, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Slovenia and Viet Nam. 58. In 1979, Sweden was the first country in the world to prohibit all forms of violence against children. In 2018, the Swedish Parliament incorporated the Convention on the Rights of the Child into Swedish law to ensure that the principle of the best interests of the child guides policymaking. 59. Peru adopted new legislation19 to support its legal ban on corporal punishment. It requires mandatory reporting by teachers and other professionals, and recognizes the crucial role played by municipalities in violence prevention and elimination, including support for families and positive parenting initiatives. New safeguards will ensure that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in child rights-related public and private proceedings.20 60. The consolidation of data and research is a key concern for the Special Representative. In cooperation with a wide range of partners, significant progress has been made in this area: over the last decade, data on violence against children has been produced 15 16 17 18 19 20 10 See http://observatorioninez.consejoinfancia.gob.cl/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/PlanAccion_Ni%C3%B1ez.VF_.pdf. Law 21067. See www.unicef.org/panama/spanish/EstrategiaPVNNA_infografica.pdf. See https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/203295182018_ VNR_Report_Spain_EN_ddghpbrgsp.pdf, p. 78. Decree No. 003-2018-MIMP, in El Peruano, Índice de Normas Legales (June 2018). Decree No. 002-2018-MIMP, in El Peruano, Índice de Normas Legales (June 2018).