A/HRC/27/11 14. Support was provided for less privileged children through benefits, proper care and guidance. Several welfare programmes had been initiated, including the provision of shelter homes; an education allowance; as well as various funds for orphans, such as the Crown Prince Fund for Orphans. 15. Women constituted over half of the country’s workforce and had actively contributed to the development of the country as well as the maintenance of peace and security. An increasing number of women held professional posts in various fields, and many of them had attained high-level positions in the public and private sectors, such as Ambassador-at-Large, Attorney General, Deputy Minister, members of the Legislative Council, senior officials in Ministries and entrepreneurs, to name but a few. The Government’s commitment to promoting gender equality was clearly evident in its national policies that were applicable to all community sectors. As a result, it had reached a remarkable literacy rate of over 95 per cent for girls. In 2013, the Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum placed Brunei Darussalam in 6th place in terms of estimated earned income; 12th place in terms of enrolment in tertiary education; and 17th place for wage equality. The rights of women were further protected through legislation such as the Islamic Family Law Act and the Married Women Act. 16. The welfare of the elderly population continued to be safeguarded through strong family and cultural values. In addition to care by their families, the elderly also benefitted from a significant social safety net in the form of a monthly pension for all citizens and permanent residents who had reached the age of 60. This pension was non-contributory and non-means-tested. 17. The Government continued to protect the rights of persons with disabilities through various efforts, including the provision of monthly allowances, which were also supported and complemented by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with the welfare of persons with specific disabilities. 18. Brunei Darussalam, as a monarchy and an Islamic State, continued to uphold the institution of the family as the dominant aspect of its culture. The concept of the large extended family had long been established and constituted the social safety net. In 2012, the first Sunday in May was declared National Family Day to commemorate the importance of the family unit. Brunei Darussalam was a close-knit society that was distinctly communal and cohesive. Festive occasions such as Eid, Chinese New Year and Christmas were celebrated by all members of the diverse community. Relatives and friends exchanged visits, good wishes and gifts, which encouraged tolerance among the ethnic and religious groups. 19. Religious tolerance and understanding were very important. Brunei Darussalam became a member of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends in 2012 and participated in several inter-faith dialogues. 20. Under the Constitution, Islam was the official religion of Brunei Darussalam, and its values and teachings continued to be the way of life for its people. As such, the activities of the society revolved around its Malay culture and Islamic faith. Non-Muslims may practise their religions in peace and harmony, as provided for in the Constitution. Sharia law had been in existence in Brunei Darussalam since the reign of the first monarch in the 14th century. The objective of sharia law was to create a society where religion, life, intellect, property and lineage were preserved and protected. As an Islamic nation with a strong sense of responsibility, in 2013, Brunei Darussalam introduced the Sharia Penal Code Order, which would be applied in parallel with the existing civil law. The Order would come into effect in phases. 21. Brunei Darussalam held the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2013, with the theme “Our People, Our Future Together”, and 5