A/HRC/8/35 Page 4 organizations. Special institutions were created to assist children victims of trafficking and abuse: the Centre d’Appel des Arcades, the Centre d’Angondjé and, together with ILO, the watchdog committees which have been formed throughout the country. 8. With regard to discrimination against women, the representative stated that women enjoy the same rights as men. In addition to the creation of the Ministry for the promotion of women, various other measures have been taken to promote and protect women’s rights: a national observatory for women’s equality; special structures for single-parent families; a national contest for the economic and social promotion of women; coordination activities between NGOs and women’s associations. One third of ministers are women, some 40 seats in the Senate and the National Assembly are occupied by women, and the Constitutional Court is chaired by a women. Women can also be found occupying high-level posts in the Ministries of Interior, Justice, and Defence and for Foreign Affairs. 9. The Government of Gabon has been implementing a plan of action to protect and promote the rights of the Pygmy minority, which represents 1 per cent of the population. In cooperation with UNICEF, Gabon is currently implementing a development project, which includes a census of the Pygmy population, measures aimed at children and the improvement of health services. The President of the Republic decided that 13 per cent of the national territory should be designated to create national parks, which would protect the environment and forest inhabitants, in particular Pygmies. The representative also pointed out that Pygmies live in perfect harmony with the rest of the population. 10. The exercise of civil rights such as association and trade unionism are ensured by ad hoc national instruments. The Government acknowledges the important role of a free and pluralistic press in the country’s democratic process. The activities of the media should conform to the directives emanating from the Conseil National de la Communication (National Council for Communication), a body established in 1992. The Press Code determines the conditions for the exercise of media prerogatives, rights and accountability. Private press counts approximately 50 newspapers. 11. In order to face the numerous financial and human constraints still affecting the human rights situation, the Government has adopted a plan of action, which primarily tries to increase human rights awareness throughout the country and among its citizens, with special regard for victims, especially children, and for law enforcement officials. Education for vulnerable groups, including human rights training, remains a priority. Gabon urges the United Nations to provide financial, institutional and material support for the implementation of this plan of action. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 12. During the ensuing interactive dialogue, statements were made by 36 delegations. A number of them expressed their appreciation, inter alia, for the presentation of the national report and the decision to abolish death penalty. 13. Observing that Gabon’s national report noted some shortcomings in the area of implementation as well as resource deficits, Pakistan asked the delegation to elucidate steps taken or planned to be taken to overcome such shortcomings, and what kind of international assistance, if any, was required to strengthen ongoing efforts. Pakistan also asked about Gabon’s strategy to involve neighbouring States in activities to deal with child trafficking and exploitation.