A/HRC/32/13 to effect change. In that regard, numerous awareness-raising activities and training sessions had been held for law enforcement officers, social workers and health workers, in order to build upon their capacities and skills with regard to responding to, identifying and prosecuting cases of domestic and gender-based violence, as well as providing effective protection to victims. 75. The delegation recalled that a new police child protection team had been established in February 2015 specifically to respond to cases of child abuse. The Director for Social Services was also empowered by the Children’s Act to intervene in ongoing cases for the protection of children when the need arose. 76. With regard to the question on what concrete measures Seychelles was taking to enhance pluralism in the media, the delegation reported that Seychelles had made amendments which had significantly reduced the license fees for the operation of commercial radio, television and newspaper outlets. The delegation stated that the Government continued fostering an atmosphere that was conducive to imparting and receiving diverse points of view. 77. The delegation stated that the Government treated the issue of drugs and narcotics with the greatest seriousness. It had set up a detox unit and wellness centre which provided rehabilitation services for drug users. The delegation added that the authorities continued to liaise with international partners for further support, especially for capacity-building and training of staff. Furthermore, Seychelles had implemented strict laws on the use and trafficking of drugs and could impose a life sentence upon the perpetrators of drug trafficking. 78. The delegation noted that efforts to improve access to services, such as education and health, by persons with disabilities were ongoing. It mentioned that a national policy and an action plan on disability had been finalized. The inclusive policy on education and training had been adopted in 2014 and the National Council for the Disabled continued to take action towards disability mainstreaming. 79. Regarding the issue of outstanding reports under treaty bodies, the delegation stated that the resources of Seychelles were very tight and that it was difficult to keep up with the heavy reporting burden. However, as mentioned in the introductory statement, Seychelles had submitted various reports since its previous review. 80. The delegation noted that Seychelles would carefully study the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture with a view to possible signature and ratification. 81. The delegation stated that the policy of the Minister of Education allowed for teenage mothers to continue to go school while pregnant and to return to school after giving birth. Teenage mothers could receive support from different government agencies to continue their education if they chose to. 82. The delegation reported that the Education Act would be amended to prohibit corporal punishment in schools. 83. On the question of improving education, the delegation mentioned that the medium-term strategy on education for the period 2015-2017 covered 13 main components and related interventions or actions, and that Seychelles would receive technical and financial assistance from the World Bank regarding the implementation of that strategy. 84. With regard to the question of strengthening the gender secretariat, the delegation recalled that this secretariat had a monitoring and evaluation role. It developed policies and guidelines and sought to mainstream gender across sectors. The Government was committed to strengthening the gender secretariat, but it was also affected by human resource constraints that the country faced in many expert fields. 11