A/HRC/37/12 81. The federal Forced Marriages Act had come into force in 2013. In the context of the programme to combat forced marriage, financial support would be granted to the association Service contre les mariages forcés (Service against forced marriages), to allow it to continue its work. 82. As concerned equality between men and women, Switzerland had introduced measures on, among others, combatting discrimination in wages, improving the life-work balance, encouraging women into working life and improving women’s representation in leadership, politics, training and research. However, the necessary majority had not been achieved in support of targeted budgeting for gender equality. The same was true for persons who suffered discrimination on grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 83. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, the revision of the right to adopt had made it possible for a partner in a married couple (whether heterosexual or homosexual) to adopt a child, and Parliament had decided to follow up on the Civil Marriage for All initiative, agreeing that the penalties attached to racial discrimination should be extended to discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. The planned reform of the Civil Code would introduce a simplified procedure for the registration of a sex change in the civil register. 84. Pursuant to the federal Act on the Elimination of Discrimination affecting Persons with Disabilities, the cantons ensured that children and young persons enjoyed basic education adapted to their needs. 85. Switzerland had adopted a suicide prevention action plan at the beginning of 2017 and, at the end of 2015, a new national strategy on addictions for the period 2017–2024. 86. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 87. Cuba noted remaining challenges, including inequalities between men and women and the lack of a national action plan to combat discrimination. 88. Cyprus noted the implementation of the National Programme to Prevent and Fight Poverty and steps taken to improve the integration of foreign nationals. 89. Ecuador congratulated Switzerland for the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189). 90. Egypt welcomed the Swiss delegation to the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review. 91. France welcomed the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 92. Georgia was concerned about reports that the Swiss Resource Centre for Human Rights would not have an explicit human rights protection mandate. 93. Germany welcomed modifications to the Swiss naming rights and citizenship law, as recommended during the previous universal periodic review. 94. Ghana lauded the ratification by Switzerland in 2014 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 95. Greece welcomed the introduction of a prohibition for persons under the age of 18 years to engage in prostitution. 96. Guatemala was concerned about reports of the promotion of racist stereotypes by members of certain political parties. 97. Haiti indicated that the Swiss system of direct democracy was a model that should be encouraged but that certain gaps persisted. 98. Honduras noted achievements by Switzerland in the implementation of the recommendations received during the previous universal periodic review cycles. GE.17-23483 7