A/HRC/50/9 107. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted the progress made in increasing access to education, health services and food despite the imposition of illegal unilateral coercive measures. 108. Viet Nam noted efforts to protect the rights of women, including measures to prevent and respond to violence against women. 109. Yemen noted the ratification of several international and regional conventions and the adoption of the National Development Strategy I (2021–2025), among other things. 110. Zambia noted the ratification and incorporation into domestic law of treaties since the previous review and also noted the creation and strengthening of independent institutions. 111. Algeria noted considerable progress in aligning laws with the Constitution. 112. Angola encouraged Zimbabwe to improve the working conditions of staff of the human rights institution. 113. Argentina noted the efforts that had been made to implement the recommendations from the previous review. 114. Armenia welcomed the steps taken to prohibit torture and noted progress in combating human trafficking. 115. Australia welcomed the position on the death penalty maintained by Zimbabwe, which had remained abolitionist in practice. 116. Azerbaijan noted that Zimbabwe had implemented programmes to promote human rights standards in the country. 117. Bangladesh noted the challenges faced by Zimbabwe, including in the areas of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV. 118. Belarus noted the measures that had been taken to improve legislation, strengthen legal institutions and ensure the socioeconomic rights of citizens in the context of illegal unilateral sanctions. 119. Belgium noted that there was room for improvement in the protection of human rights, despite the steps taken since the previous review. 120. Brazil encouraged Zimbabwe to implement tools to promote inclusive education, particularly for women and girls. 121. Burkina Faso encouraged Zimbabwe to pursue efforts to end gender-based violence, which had been on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. 122. Burundi welcomed the legislative measures to improve education and health services, prohibit early marriage and combat the sexual exploitation of children. 123. Cabo Verde stated that special attention should be paid to the drafting of a gender equality law and to the marginalization of women. 124. Canada urged Zimbabwe to pursue full realignment of its laws with the Constitution and to ensure fair and equal enforcement of its provisions. 125. Chad noted the measures taken, including the revision of the laws and the implementation of policies to improve public health, among other things. 126. Chile noted that Sustainable Development Goal 5, on the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, was prioritized in the agenda for a sustainable socioeconomic transformation. 127. China noted achievements in economic and social development, in combating COVID-19, in the areas of education and health and in protecting the rights of vulnerable groups. 128. Costa Rica made recommendations. 129. Côte d’Ivoire made recommendations. 9