A/HRC/19/10 Employment Support Programme, were being implemented. Support was also provided for certain income-generating activities, particularly those of women’s groups. 21. Freedom of association was guaranteed through the country’s six trade union confederations and one employers’ organization. 22. The Constitution set out the principle of free and compulsory primary education for children up to the age of 15. The first stage of providing free education had begun in 2008 and had led to a rise in school enrolment rates. In order to meet the challenge of achieving universal primary education by 2015, Togo had adopted a plan and the associated budget for the education sector for 2010–2020. Despite all those efforts, the effective exercise of the right to education was curtailed by certain sociocultural constraints, insufficient funding, inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of qualified teaching staff. 23. Togo had adopted the law establishing the Health Code and was committed to the Millennium Development Goal for health. It had drawn up a health development plan for the period 2009–2013 and theme-based strategies on malaria and HIV/AIDS had been implemented. Moreover, Togo had carried out high-impact interventions in an attempt to reduce maternal, neonatal, infant and child mortality. 24. An expanded programme of immunization was in operation across the country. Antiretroviral treatment had been provided free of charge since 2008, leading to a marked increase in the number of people receiving the treatment. Various measures aimed at preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child had been taken, such as increasing the number of dedicated care centres. 25. Notwithstanding the financial difficulties arising from the suspension of international cooperation for nearly 15 years, Togo had launched numerous initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of specific groups. 26. With regard to women’s rights, in addition to establishing a ministry dealing specifically with women’s affairs in 2010, Togo had adopted a law on female genital mutilation in 1998, and a national policy on gender equality and equity and the related plan of action in 2011. It was expected that a bill to amend the Individuals and Family Code would be adopted in 2011. Furthermore, a national strategy paper on gender mainstreaming in policies and programmes had been drawn up in 2006. 27. With regard to the rights of the child, Togo had adopted a law on the organization of civil registration in Togo and installed a child protection telephone helpline. The 2007 law establishing the Children’s Code incorporated all the provisions of the relevant international instruments to which Togo was a party. 28. With regard to persons with disabilities, Togo had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto in March 2011. The 2004 law on the social protection of persons with disabilities was currently being revised to bring it into line with the Convention. 29. With regard to refugees, Togo had adopted a law on refugee status in 2000 and set up a national office to coordinate assistance to refugees in 1994. Togo was a safe haven for refugees fleeing the political situation in the subregion but required the assistance of the international community to take care of them. 30. With regard to achievements, best practices, challenges and constraints, Togo had taken action in the political, economic and social spheres to improve the living conditions of its citizens. However, the impact of such action was often dependent on the limited means at the State’s disposal. 31. Lastly, as to what Togo hoped to get out of the process, the delegation had chosen to focus on only a few of many possible items. They included capacity-building to ensure GE.11-17383 5