A/HRC/32/7 including law enforcement agencies and judges, had been organized. By utilizing new communication and information technology, various projects had been carried out to combat trafficking in human beings. 55. Women victims of violence had been provided with State-funded shelters, covering the entire territory of Estonia and providing psychological, social and legal counselling. 56. The new development goals of Estonia were aimed at advancing the welfare and quality of life of children and their families. Among other measures, Estonia afforded generous parental benefits for the first 18 months of parental leave. However, that opportunity had mostly been used by women. Men comprised less than 10 per cent of parents who had applied for the parental leave, indicating that societal attitudes towards traditional gender roles prevailed. Nevertheless, the Government had and would continue to take measures to promote gender equality. 57. The new Child Protection Act had introduced a major reform in child protection by putting the interests of the child even further in the forefront and positioning the child as an equal member of society. The delegation reaffirmed the commitment of Estonia to ending corporal punishment and promoting positive parenting methods of child upbringing. 58. Estonia submitted its initial report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015. The Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner would be officially designated to fulfil the duties of the independent monitoring mechanism under the Convention. The Government had been working to ensure equal access by persons with disabilities to the labour market and the provision of community-based social services to promote independent living among persons with disabilities. The 2016 Social Welfare Act would also assist in that work. 59. Nicaragua emphasized the progress achieved by Estonia in the areas of social equality, the rights of women and labour rights. It welcomed the adoption of the strategy on integration and social cohesion. Nicaragua made recommendations. 60. Norway noted the remaining challenges in relation to non-Estonian residents, especially with regard to their socioeconomic conditions. It noted with appreciation improvements in the availability of Russian-language broadcasting, amendments to the Citizenship Act that addressed some of the problems of persons without citizenship, and the adoption of the Registered Partnership Act. Norway made recommendations. 61. Oman stated that it had closely reviewed the national report of Estonia. It made recommendations. 62. Pakistan commended Estonia for its legislation strengthening the protection of human rights and its ratification of international human rights instruments. Pakistan appreciated the special care development plan, the social integration strategy, inclusive education and the Roma integration strategy. It made recommendations. 63. Panama commended the measures adopted by Estonia to combat all forms of discrimination, trafficking in persons and violence against women. It was alarmed over growing attacks and racist and xenophobic incidents directed at specific groups of the population. Panama made recommendations. 64. The Philippines noted with appreciation the ratification of several international and regional human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. It welcomed the abolition of the death penalty and acknowledged policies and programmes of Estonia to combat trafficking in persons. The Philippines made recommendations. 65. Poland acknowledged the efforts of Estonia to comply with the recommendations accepted during the first review. Poland particularly appreciated the measures taken to 9