A/HRC/38/8 124. Some customary laws discriminated against women, who could seek redress from the common law courts. Legal aid was available to poor women. The Government, in collaboration with civil society, continued to engage with community and religious leaders and the general public on issues that perpetuated gender inequality. 125. Schools had guidance and counselling units to counter gender-based violence, which mostly comprised bullying. Local councils had dedicated social workers to strengthen programming efforts that ensured safety in schools. The Botswana Police Service had gender focal points and the Botswana Defence Force had focal points to enhance gender mainstreaming initiatives. 126. With the support of the Government, civil society organizations provided places of safety for victims of gender-based violence. The Government intended to establish and strengthen places of safety, based on the findings of the 2017 study on gender-based violence. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 127. The recommendations listed below have been examined by Botswana and enjoy the support of Botswana: 127.1 Ratify those international instruments that Botswana had committed to ratifying during the second cycle of the universal periodic review (Madagascar); 127.2 Cooperate fully with treaty bodies by meeting reporting obligations as a Member State (Republic of Korea); 127.3 Continue to work on the implementation of its commitments to promote and protect human rights in the light of the recommendations already accepted (Sudan); 127.4 Consider the creation of a national follow-up mechanism for recommendations on human rights issues, which would allow for the adequate follow-up of the obligations and recommendations made by regional and universal human rights systems (Paraguay); 127.5 Domesticate the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, in order to enhance the promotion and protection of women’s rights (Namibia); 127.6 Continue efforts to ensure that the national human rights institution that will be established will be in compliance with the Paris Principles (Portugal); 127.7 Expedite the establishment of a national human rights institution in conformity with the Paris Principles (Sierra Leone); 127.8 Intensify efforts aimed at establishing a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles (Ukraine); 127.9 Prioritize the setting-up of a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles (South Africa); 127.10 Step up the process of setting up a national human rights institution in conformity with the Paris Principles (Togo); 127.11 Accelerate the establishment of a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles (Afghanistan); 127.12 Establish, without further delay, a national human rights institution that will be in full compliance with the Paris Principles (Liechtenstein); 127.13 Establish a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles (Morocco); 11