A/HRC/24/8 57. The Netherlands welcomed the National Women’s Policy, which was a positive step towards promoting gender equality and women’s participation in the public sector. The Netherlands would continue to monitor its implementation, as the position of women was still vulnerable. It made recommendations. 58. Chile recognized the country’s difficulties in implementing the recommendations of 2008 and the financial and human resource constraints. It acknowledged the commitment of Tuvalu to UPR and the special procedures; the measures adopted to ensure free and universal primary education for children and youth; the strengthening of the Attorney General’s Office, the People’s Lawyers Office and the police; and the implementation of national youth and women’s policies. It encouraged Tuvalu to intensify efforts to ratify the various outstanding international human rights instruments. Chile made recommendations. 59. Costa Rica echoed the appeal of Tuvalu for technical and economic assistance. It acknowledged efforts to incorporate human rights standards into domestic legislation; the significant progress in the field of women’s rights and empowerment at all levels of society; the legislative measures to combat human trafficking, especially of children; and the drafting of national youth policies. It urged Tuvalu to design a national plan or policy for children, recognizing the benefits of social investment in childhood. It highlighted the serious impact of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights. It made recommendations. 60. Cuba praised the steps taken by Tuvalu to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities and persons living with HIV/AIDS; the improvement of people’s access to health services; and the increased awareness of human rights in the context of domestic violence. It welcomed several initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS and the discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS. It asked Tuvalu about possible forms of international cooperation which could be entered into to ensure that its people fully enjoyed their human rights, particularly the rights to education and health. 61. Estonia noted with appreciation the inclusion of human rights standards in domestic legislation and progress in the implementation of several recommendations. It commended Tuvalu on prioritizing gender equality and promoting the role of women in its National Strategic Development Plan. Estonia urged Tuvalu to amend legislation to bring it into line with CEDAW and to raise awareness about women’s rights and gender equality in society. It encouraged Tuvalu to show a strong commitment to the rule of law by ratifying and aligning its legislation with the Rome Statute and acceding to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court. Estonia made recommendations. 62. With reference to the by-election question, the Head of the Delegation reported that it was a matter before the High Court, which would probably instruct as to when the byelection will be carried out. 63. The Attorney General reiterated that women took priority in Tuvalu and that there were ongoing consultations on that matter. However, several cultural practices stopped women from doing certain things and it would probably take time for women to break away from the bonds of cultural practices. She stated that there were no laws which prevented women from having equal access to employment. 64. On the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, it was reiterated that the Cabinet had already endorsed accession thereto and that the Optional Protocol was under consideration. 65. The Director of Education stated that the system was trying to promote education, particularly early childhood education, which was one of the priorities of the National Strategic Development Plan. 10