A/HRC/17/6 promoting equality between men and women and referred to the creation of shelters for victims of violence against women. It requested information about measures that could be taken to remedy the low participation of women in the public and political spheres. It noted the initiatives and efforts taken to protect children and persons with disabilities. Morocco made recommendations. 47. Brazil noted the progress made by Saint Lucia in the achievement of the MDGs, especially regarding universal primary and secondary education, the reduction of poverty, the rights of the elderly and the free provision of antiretrovirals to HIV/AIDS patients. Brazil expressed concern regarding violence against women and children, including sexual violence. Brazil expressed its availability to provide technical assistance and capacity building. Brazil made recommendations. 48. Singapore noted the progress made towards achieving the MDGs. It welcomed the commitment and initiatives taken to reduce poverty and support economic growth. Singapore commended the political measures taken to protect children’s rights, especially those aimed at ensuring the highest possible standard of alternative care and delivery of services to children at risk and in need of special care and protection. Singapore made recommendations. 49. Hungary welcomed achievements made with regard to rights of people with disabilities and education. Hungary noted the link between poverty, food insecurity and health. It noted existing cooperation between Saint Lucia and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) regarding asylum seekers and stateless persons. It acknowledged the efforts of Saint Lucia for the promotion of gender equality but was concerned by the problem of violence against women, in particular by the fact that the Civil Code calls for the wife’s obedience to her husband. Hungary made recommendations. 50. Turkey welcomed the efforts made to achieve international standards in key social areas, particularly for the protection of children’s rights and for the rehabilitation of juveniles. Turkey supported Saint Lucia’s determination to improve education. Turkey made recommendations. 51. Spain commended Saint Lucia for its determination to fight against discrimination in all its forms and encouraged the country to revise its legislation in order to guarantee nondiscrimination in terms of gender, sexual orientation, health and disability. Spain made recommendations. 52. In response to questions regarding poverty, Saint Lucia recalled that it had made a transition from an economy based on agriculture to one based on tourism and that in the transition some of the progress that had been made was lost, though in the long run the new emphasis on tourism should bring in added resources that would enable it to address this issue. The Government is very aware of this issue and has adopted a number of measures to counter it and will continue to try to address it. 53. On the question raised regarding the obligation present in the Civil Code for the wife to be obedient to her husband, Saint Lucia stated that it had inherited a number of laws from before independence which will need to be reviewed and brought up to date. It added that the country was promoting a family-based approach so that it was probable that not only the reference to obedience would be removed but that the concept of a cooperative partnership be endorsed. 54. Regarding questions concerning the participation of women in public life, Saint Lucia reiterated the information provided in its opening statement recalling that the issue had to a great extent been addressed and that those at the highest level of the political echelon in the country are women. 8