A/HRC/38/16 14. Significant progress had been made in the past two decades in advancing gender equality. De jure, women were granted full equality with men. However, despite girls performing better than boys in school, women were still underrepresented in many areas. That meant that there was still a long way to go in order to achieve de facto equality, especially with regard to the representation of women in decision-making and leadership positions in politics and the economy. Liechtenstein also needed to work on ensuring the compatibility of family and career. Over the past five years, various measures had continuously been implemented in that domain. A balanced representation of both genders in political bodies had not yet been achieved. Liechtenstein had achieved a good balance in the representation of women in the Government, with two women ministers out of five in total since 2009. Unfortunately, however, the trend in Parliament was negative: there were currently only 3 women parliamentarians out of a total of 25. That meant that women’s representation had fallen from 24 per cent, in the previous legislative period, to 12 per cent. On the positive side, that result had led to very lively, ongoing discussions about the reasons for that decline and possible countermeasures. Liechtenstein recognized the need to double its efforts to increase the share of women in leadership positions in politics and in the economy and to achieve a balanced representation as soon as possible. 15. In order to achieve the above-mentioned goals, the Government had decided to prioritize in its programme to improving the compatibility of family and career. Planned measures in that regard included promoting the further expansion of afterschool programmes, day-care centres and public schools. Liechtenstein continuously optimized such facilities with the help of the municipal authorities and the private sector. 16. In addition, the standardization of school timetables throughout the country was currently being considered. In 2015, after considering a report on the situation of childcare outside the home, the Government had decided to provide a new basis for the financing of additional childcare places. A working group was currently developing solutions in that regard. Furthermore, a comprehensive online survey to assess the needs of young families regarding reconciliation of family and work life had recently been completed. 17. Various measures had been taken in the past few years to support and empower persons with disabilities. In November 2017, the tenth anniversary of the Law on the Equality of Persons with Disabilities, a milestone for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, had been marked with the holding of an exhibition and workshops attended by schoolchildren and many other interested parties. Liechtenstein was, however, well aware, that it had yet to honour its commitment to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Liechtenstein fully supported the substance and purpose of the Convention and discussions had resumed at the national level regarding its signature and ratification. 18. Changing demographics, particularly the increasing percentage of older persons in the total population, and their changing demands and needs, would require continuous attention in the future. The social security and old-age provision system had been designed to cope with those developments. 19. Policy on older persons was based on the principle that older persons and persons in need of care should be able to live as autonomously and independently as possible. Thanks to the excellent health-care system, life expectancy at birth had risen steadily over the past few decades. The provisions on older persons allowed the inhabitants of the country to continue to enjoy a high standard of living after retirement. In order to secure the long-term financial security of the insurance scheme for older persons, Parliament had decided on major reforms in 2016. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 20. During the interactive dialogue, 60 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 21. The Republic of Moldova welcomed the signature, by Liechtenstein, of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and 4