A/HRC/34/13 17. The Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare had been established to promote and protect the human rights of women and children and persons with special needs. A framework had been established to mainstream gender issues. A national action plan had been adopted to implement Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). Continuous efforts were being made to eradicate harmful customs and traditions. Sexual exploitation and abuse, the early and forced marriage of girls under 18 years of age and domestic violence continued to slow efforts to eliminate discrimination, especially in rural areas. Special protection units had been established at a number of police stations to enable women, girls and children to report cases of gender-based violence and women-friendly facilities had been set up to encourage women and girls to discuss their well-being and train them in social skills. Cases of sexual violence were under investigation or already before the courts. 18. Formal education was free and compulsory throughout the country and an alternative educational system aimed to meet the needs of specific categories of learners, including children demobilized from the army and militia groups. 19. The Transitional Constitution guaranteed freedom of expression and access to information, as well as the right to form or join political parties, associations and trade unions. The Government had enacted the Broadcasting Corporation Act, the Right of Access to Information Act and the Media Authority Act in 2013. Those three media laws, as well as an independent media board and information commissions, protected those rights. A number of institutions, including the National Elections Commission and the Peace and Reconciliation Commission, had been set up to promote transparency and access to information. Cases of individuals, including journalists, dying as a consequence of criminal acts were under investigation. 20. Sustainable peace and nation-building would not be achievable without a commitment to implementing the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan of 17 August 2015. The parties to the Agreement had decided to treat it as part of the Transitional Constitution and had established the Transitional Government of National Unity and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly in accordance with the Agreement. In the event of a contradiction, the Agreement would supersede the provisions of the Transitional Constitution. Following the crisis of July 2016, the parties to the Agreement had recommitted themselves to its implementation. Cantonments had been agreed upon for the forces of SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the ceasefire between SPLA and SPLA-IO was being maintained in most parts of South Sudan. 21. The process of establishing a commission for truth, reconciliation and healing in accordance with the Agreement would be launched very shortly. The African Union Commission had the mandate to initiate the establishment of a hybrid court for South Sudan, after which the Transitional Government of National Unity would enact legislation to bring it into being. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 22. During the interactive dialogue, 85 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 23. Slovenia expressed horror at the reports of continued violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Those acts might amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. 24. South Africa commended South Sudan for ratifying various core international human rights instruments and noted its efforts to consolidate peace. 5