A/HRC/25/13 34. Belize had adopted a similar comprehensive approach to addressing gender-based violence. To complement the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, the Women’s Department had rolled out the National Gender-based Violence Plan of Action, the domestic violence protocol for police officers had been revised and a number of userfriendly publications had been distributed to ensure that victims of gender-based violence were fully aware of their rights and the support services available to them. 35. In terms of labour-related issues, the Women’s Department continued to organize a number of training courses for women to build their capacity to engage in the marketplace and to develop skills to enable them to generate their own income. The Decent Work Agenda currently being implemented by the Labour Department focused on women and youth. 36. The revised National Gender Policy was endorsed by Cabinet in March 2013. It built on the 2002 policy and focused on strategies to reduce gender disparities in five key areas: health; education/skills training; wealth and employment generation; violence-producing conditions; and power and decision-making. It was the subject of spirited debate among Belizeans and provided an opportunity for a truly national dialogue about gender relations, diversity and human rights. 37. Since Belize had a very young population, protecting the rights of children and providing opportunities for youths were a high priority of the Government. Following on the recommendations of the first UPR cycle, significant improvements had been made to the national birth registration system to ensure greater access. Birth registration was at 95 per cent and approaching universal coverage. 38. Improving access to quality education continued to be a major focus of the Government’s efforts. While universal access to primary education appeared to be within reach, challenges remained at the preschool, secondary and tertiary levels. The Government had embarked on an ambitious reform programme to transform the education sector. The Education and Training Act of 2010 provided the legal framework for those reforms. 39. The Government had invested significantly in providing opportunities for employment and for rehabilitation for youths, particularly those at risk. 40. In relation to indigenous rights, the delegation stated that the Mayas of southern Belize exemplified human rights in action. In July 2013, the Court of Appeal of Belize affirmed that the Mayas were entitled to indigenous title and the rights thereunder in respect of the lands they occupied. However, that high court did not affirm the Government’s duty to give effect to those rights through the remedies offered by the lower court. Consequently, the Government had been in communication with the representatives of the Mayas to determine a mutually agreeable framework for the implementation of the judgment of the Court of Appeal. 41. Belize continued to be concerned about persistent pockets of poverty and low social indicators in the Toledo District, where the majority of Mayas lived. A number of targeted interventions had been implemented to provide the Mayas with assistance and support, including the Improving Children’s Health and Nutrition in Poor Mayan Communities in Toledo project, which had a very high rate of coverage. 42. With regard to the advance questions submitted by Members of the Human Rights Council, the delegation stated that Belize was a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court, and one of the earliest depositors of the instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute. Indeed, Belize was the eighth country to deposit its ratification instrument. Another demonstration of its commitment was that Belize participated actively in the Assembly of States Parties and had, along with Trinidad and Tobago, proposed an amendment to the Rome Statute to expand the crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction to 7