A/HRC/39/10 70. In keeping with its view that family welfare is an essential factor for sustainable development, the Government has adopted a number of anti-poverty measures. Djibouti has introduced a free helpline and has improved the unified public registry for identifying and targeting the poor. This has led to the establishment of a large number of public service centres that provide support to vulnerable persons. In 2017, a community development programme was set up with a view to involving individuals in the local development of their region. 71. In 2018, the Government adopted a law that ensures persons with special needs the right to education on an equal basis with those who do not have disabilities, the right to work, as well as socioeconomic and political integration, and assistance and social protection. 72. In the area of education, Djibouti has made considerable efforts to provide equitable access to education at all levels. According to the gender parity index, the disparity in schools is practically non-existent. Important initiatives have been suggested, such as opening a school for advanced students, granting scholarships, developing preschool education (with an emphasis on children from vulnerable families or those living in rural areas) and reforming curricula in order to ensure its compatibility with the labour market. 73. With regard to violence against women and the practice of female genital mutilation, Djibouti has endeavoured to change behaviours among the population through targeted initiatives, such as the establishment of a national strategy for the total elimination of all forms of excision and a programme sponsored by the First Lady aimed at speeding up the elimination of this practice. Alongside these efforts, action has been taken to establish sentinel committees for combating female genital mutilation throughout the country and for introducing modules on the practice in secondary school curricula. 74. The Ministry of Health has carried out numerous programmes that have a positive impact on public health: the geographic distribution of medical facilities, which has served to decentralize health care by affording access to the poor; the family planning strategy; and the construction of clinics in the capital and a centre for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. 75. With regard to the rights of the child, Djibouti adopted a Code for the Protection of Minors in 2015 and established schools for deaf-mute and blind children, as well as an integrated centre for children with special needs. In order to promote the development of children, Djibouti has established community day nurseries and childcare centres and has carried out a study on the situation of street children. 76. With regard to detentions and the situation of human rights defenders, it was emphasized that the national and regional context must be taken into account. Following the terrorist attack of 2014, Djibouti introduced a state of emergency, and the constitutional limitation of freedoms was defined under the supervision of the legislature. Djibouti has established an administrative investigation practice in order to verify individuals’ ties to a certain kind of action or group. The delegation of Djibouti said it should be noted that, to date, no human rights defender has been detained or even prosecuted. Djibouti is aware that this issue deserves special attention. 77. Guyana commended Djibouti on the strengthening of the National Human Rights Commission, and applauded Vision Djibouti 2035 and the introduction of a quota system for the inclusion of women in elected office and appointment to senior government positions. 78. Honduras welcomed legislation on domestic violence, female genital mutilation, the protection of persons living with HIV/AIDS and trafficking in persons. 79. Iceland welcomed the laws on violence against women and on the protection of persons living with HIV/AIDS, and expressed concern about the access of women and girls to quality education and provisions of the Family Code that discriminated against women. 80. India welcomed the strengthening of the National Human Rights Commission and encouraged continued efforts to implement the Master Plan for Education 2010–2019 to GE.18-11480 7