A/HRC/41/15 9. The Government’s policies had advanced the position of women in the labour market and reduced the gender pay gap. Amendments to the Maternity Protection Law and the introduction of the Paternity Law had had a positive impact. 10. The importance of women’s participation in conflict resolution was reflected in the context of the most recent settlement efforts on the Cyprus question. In particular, the bicommunal Technical Committee on Gender Equality had been established to implement Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and advise the formal peace process. The Commissioner for Gender Equality was also preparing the first national action plan on women, peace and security (2019–2022). 11. Cyprus had ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) and was promoting a comprehensive legislative framework to prevent and combat violence against women and raise public awareness. Establishment of a “women’s home” was under way to support the victims of violence and their families. 12. Concerning trafficking in persons, the Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings within the national police had been reinforced with specialized investigators. The legislative framework had also been reinforced. The Government cooperated with nongovernmental organizations to better protect victims and safeguard their rights. Police officers, together with welfare, labour, health, asylum and immigration officers, regularly participated in specialized training on identifying potential victims. 13. Regarding the rights of the child, Cyprus had ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse and had enacted a comprehensive law to implement its provisions. Furthermore, Cyprus had adopted a National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography. Additionally, a “children’s home” to support child victims and their families and a coordination committee to prevent and combat sexual abuse and exploitation of children had been established. 14. Systematic efforts had been made to increase access to education for all children and strengthen the quality of the education, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4. Cyprus also aimed to ensure equal opportunities at all levels of education and an Action Plan for Gender Equality in Education (2018–2020) had been adopted. Furthermore, a National Strategy for the Prevention and Combating of Violence in Schools had been developed. 15. With regard to the protection of children, Cyprus had launched the “baby’s dowry” project, aimed at addressing poverty through the provision of basic material assistance to newborns in deprived families. The Government had ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. Cyprus also paid particular attention to the rights of migrant children, who were entitled to health, education and social care. Migrant children were never detained. 16. Cyprus accorded high priority to the rights of children with disabilities. The Law on Special Education was in the process of being reformed. The First National Disability Strategy (2018–2028) and the Second National Disability Action Plan (2018–2020) had been approved, based on the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 17. Cyprus was fully committed to advancing the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community and had joined the Equal Rights Coalition. A Law on Civil Partnership of Same- or Opposite-sex Couples had been enacted and the Criminal Code had been amended, including homophobic motivation and gender identity as aggravating circumstances. 18. Cyprus put particular emphasis on combating racism, respecting diversity and facilitating the integration of children from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the education system. The Code of Conduct against Racism and the Guide for Managing and Reporting Racist Incidents served as a toolbox for schools. 3