A/HRC/24/8 She stated that Tuvalu would require assistance in order to implement or carry forward these recommendations. 34. She referred that the report from the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation was most helpful to the country and stated her belief that it would form a very good basis for the Government to use and try to fulfil its obligations with regard to the matter. 35. Concerning protection of women and children and the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Bill, the Head of the Delegation reported that consultations with outer islands to fully explain the content of the bill to the people and receive their comments were hindered by transportation problems. However, she assured that the matter remained a priority for the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Prime Minister. 36. With regard to the Ombudsman’s Commission to specifically address human rights issues, the Government had implemented the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Commission under the Leadership Code to look into breaches of that code with leaders’ role in decision-making. 37. In relation to other human rights instruments to which Tuvalu was required to sign up, all human rights issues were beneficial to the country but it was just a matter of how Tuvalu could actively engage and fulfil those commitments given its financial constraints and human resources limitations, which obliged Tuvalu to set priorities as to what could actually be done in any given year and within current capabilities. 38. Women’s protection was a priority and, in almost every official or non-official meeting or gathering, there was an opportunity for women’s organizations to highlight their aims and visions and to seek support from the community in furthering the equality issue. However, the process of getting the proposed amendments to the Constitution aimed at ensuring a provision on equal treatment on the basis of sex was still under consultation as there was not yet clear support from all the islands. Nevertheless, the Department of Women’s Affairs was actively engaged in consulting and trying to ensure that support was received for those matters. 39. Slovakia recognized the vulnerability of Tuvalu to the impacts of climate change. It commended the Education for Life programme providing free and universal primary education and the achievement of high literacy rates. It acknowledged the development of the Draft Water Act, the Sustainable and Integrated Water and Sanitation policy, the establishment of the Department of Women’s Affairs and the inclusion of women and gender development in the 2005-2015 National Strategic Development Plan. Slovakia made recommendations. 40. Slovenia noted progress in the human rights commitments and obligations of Tuvalu and in the inclusion of human rights standards in domestic legislation. It noted concern at violence against women, including domestic violence, from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It acknowledged the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). It welcomed the country’s agreement to the 2012 visit from the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. Slovenia made recommendations. 41. Spain welcomed the efforts of Tuvalu to fulfil its international obligations and underscored the visit from the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. It mentioned the Government’s decision to reflect on the ratification of core human rights instruments and expressed hope that such reflection would be positive. It noted the priorities identified in the Second National Strategic Development Plan, including gender equality. Spain made recommendations. 7