A/HRC/50/9 48. Iraq welcomed the harmonization of legislation with the Constitution and the efforts made to ensure universal access to quality education. 49. Ireland expressed concern about the shrinking civil society space and gender inequality and noted the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices. 50. Italy noted efforts to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and welcomed the National Disability Policy. 51. Japan appreciated the amendments made to the Education Act, which recognized marital status and pregnancy as prohibited grounds of discrimination in education. 52. Kenya welcomed the steps taken to protect human rights and applauded efforts to enact the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission Bill. 53. Latvia thanked Zimbabwe for the presentation of its national report. 54. Libya noted the steps that had been taken to ensure political participation, particularly the legislative amendments that had been introduced. 55. Luxembourg thanked Zimbabwe for its national report. 56. Malawi noted the measures taken to protect human rights. 57. Malaysia noted the development of various legislative and policy frameworks since the previous review. 58. Maldives noted the enactment of the amendment to the Education Act and the establishment of a climate-smart agricultural programme. 59. Mali commended Zimbabwe for its cooperation with the human rights mechanisms and noted the progress made in implementing the local school feeding programme. 60. The Marshall Islands noted the ambitious target of achieving a green economy by 2030 and also noted the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into policies. 61. Mauritania noted the launch of the Vision 2030 initiative and the National Development Strategy I (2021–2025). 62. Mauritius noted efforts to provide grants to the most disadvantaged primary and secondary schools, as well as sanitary items to female learners. 63. The delegation of Zimbabwe stated that the threat of climate change to socioeconomic development had been recognized and that issues related to climate change and gender had been integrated into national policies and strategies. In 2018, a national climate policy supported by a national climate change response strategy had been adopted. Work was under way to develop a national climate change adaptation plan. 64. The response to gender-based violence had been undertaken through a wellcoordinated multisectoral approach designed to ensure that survivors had access to a wide range of support services and through courts specializing in sexual and domestic violence. Through the National Disability Policy launched in 2021, the Government had sought to enhance protection against discrimination for persons with disabilities. The Persons with Disabilities Bill was expected to be presented for enactment during the current session of Parliament. 65. Although the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment had not been ratified, there was comprehensive legislation in place to ensure adequate domestic remedies in relation to torture. 66. The proposed amendments to the Private Voluntary Organisations Act were motivated by recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force. 67. The unilateral coercive measures that had been imposed on Zimbabwe for about 20 years were not targeted and inflicted collateral damage that went way beyond the intended individuals and entities, although those who imposed the sanctions were reluctant to acknowledge as much. All sectors of socioeconomic development had been adversely affected by the unilateral coercive measures, mainly owing to the impact of being cut off 6