A/HRC/27/4 the National Strategy on Gender Equality and Reduction of Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence for 2011-2015. One important objective of the Strategy was an increase in the participation of women in political and public life. In 2013, the number of women in Parliament and in the Government had increased. Ministries had begun the consultation process regarding the implementation of gender mainstreaming in the medium-term budget programme. 8. Regarding assistance to victims of domestic violence, the necessary measures had been taken to strengthen the national referral mechanism, offer legal assistance to the victims of domestic violence and ensure special treatment and protection of the victims of domestic violence accommodated in the national shelter for rehabilitation. An online case registration system and a toll-free telephone line for victims of domestic violence had been established and capacity-building of the respective professionals undertaken. 9. In addition to the adoption of the Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child, the Government had initiated the elaboration of a working protocol as a methodological guide to child protection efforts for local and national State agencies involved in the protection of children. The law on pre-university education ensured that children under custody enjoyed all their rights and had access to education. Those children were provided with free textbooks and with psychosocial care, and were entitled to special quotas in secondary and higher education. 10. In the framework of ongoing administrative and territorial reforms, the Government had planned to strengthen the child protection units and increase their capacities to enable them to offer high-quality services for children and their families. 11. The Government had undertaken new initiatives with the aim of protecting children from all forms of abuse, exploitation and neglect through coordinated intervention and a comprehensive approach to the protection of the interests of the child and support for families. A draft plan and draft procedural guidelines had been prepared for professionals involved in the identification, referral and case management of children in street situations. 12. To improve the juvenile justice system a, special institution for the treatment of minors serving prison sentences had been set up and had started functioning with the financial support of the European Union. 13. The National Action Plan for the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2010-2015 was aimed at improving the socioeconomic status, social inclusion and integration of the Roma. Specific policies and programmes, including free training courses, had been implemented to promote employment for the Roma in general and for Roma women in particular. 14. A small grants programme, funded by the 2014 State budget, had been implemented to improve the housing conditions of the Roma and Egyptian communities. Municipalities had been entitled to apply for small grants to implement projects aimed at improving the housing conditions of those communities. 15. Education was a national priority of the Government. Measures had been taken to address the school dropout rate, including implementation of the “zero school dropout initiative”. Legislative, administrative and institutional measures had also been taken to guarantee the inclusion of Roma children and youth in the mainstream education system. The number of Roma children in the education system had increased and the enrolment of Roma children in schools was ensured, even in the absence of a birth certificate. 16. The delegation stated that the participation of children in decision-making had been guaranteed by domestic legislation, including participation in the process of approval of mid-term and long-term plans of their educational institutions and in procedures for the appointment and dismissal of school directors. 4