A/HRC/23/11 8. The promotion and protection of human rights remain a priority for Barbados and this was reflected in the outlay the country makes on education and social services which consumed approximately two thirds of the national budget. 9. The country was seeking to strengthen its governance structure and human rights framework and to this end established an Advisory Board on Governance in 2008. This committee was composed of outstanding Barbadian citizens and has been working assiduously on several pieces of legislation including amendments of the Ombudsman Act as well as drafting of Integrity, Defamation and Freedom of Information legislation. 10. Barbados was committed to the advancement of women and this is evidenced in its policy and practice. It was noted that, contrary to information provided by Amnesty International, Barbados did not have 3 out of 30 members of Parliament who were women. In fact, in the Lower House, elected by popular vote, there were 4 women out of 30 and in the Senate, whose members were selected, 7 out of 21. Barbados then provided additional details regarding participation of women in the public sector, including the judiciary, adding that female enrolment at the tertiary level continued to be high, with women outnumbering men by almost two to one. 11. With regard to the issue of persons with disabilities, Barbados observed that in 2012, the country had appointed its first female President of the Senate, who also happened to be visually impaired. The Senator’s academic achievements and appointment to this high office attested to the Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for all citizens. 12. Barbados continued to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Cabinet agreed to its ratification once all the legal requirements for doing so are in place. The National Disabilities Unit implemented programmes to promote the rights of person with disabilities. Barbados highlighted action taken in this regard, including steps to retrofit public buildings to accommodate persons with disabilities, as well as work undertaken with NGOs, and efforts by schools, universities and work places. 13. With regard to legislative action, Barbados indicated that it had undertaken a review of certain pre-independence legislation to determine whether these were in conflict with its treaty obligations. Barbados proposed to amend or enact new laws pertaining to mental health, sexual harassment, discrimination, domestic violence, child protection and the mandatory death sentence. This process would be continuous and the country would progressively incorporate international human rights obligations into domestic legislation. 14. Regarding HIV/AIDS, the Government continued to develop and carry out programmes aimed at eliminating the stigmatization of persons living with HIV/AIDS and spends large sums on public service advertisement and other important issues. The Government remained aware that stigma and discrimination hindered access to HIV preventive and care services. It has therefore decided to decentralize and integrate such services into the primary health care system. It has also developed a number of activities to promote attitudinal and behavioural change within society. Details regarding such action were then provided. 15. On the issue of trafficking in persons, Barbados highlighted that it had legislation that criminalized trafficking in persons, including children. It noted steps taken to implement the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol), including: the adoption in 2011 of the Transnational Organized Crime (Prevention and Control) Act and the establishment in 2012 of a National Task Force for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons. It also noted the launching of initiatives to raise public awareness and to train public officials and law enforcement personnel. 4