A/HRC/48/17 93. Japan appreciated the progress on women’s rights, including their right to confer citizenship as well as their equitable access to land resources. 94. Jordan praised the oral update highlighting the measures taken to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. 95. Kenya commended the lifting of the ban on pregnant girls in education and welcomed the laws on protecting women and girls. 96. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic noted progress in promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, the right to education and poverty reduction, through the implementation of previous recommendations. 97. Latvia welcomed the delegation and its national report. 98. Lebanon welcomed the lifting of the ban on pregnant girls attending school, which had prevented them from pursuing their studies and from educational achievement. 99. Lesotho noted the amendment of the Sexual Offences Act to end gender-based violence. 100. Libya applauded steps taken to enhance women’s participation in political life and improve women’s opportunities to occupy leadership positions. 101. Malawi commended the reforms of the judiciary, and the enactment of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019, which had increased the punishment for a conviction for rape. 102. Malaysia welcomed the transition from a Peacebuilding Commission-agenda country to an aspiring middle-income country by 2035, and hoped for further progress. 103. Maldives welcomed efforts to advance human rights domestically and measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. 104. Mali commended Sierra Leone for the initiatives adopted on human rights and for its cooperation with regional and international mechanisms. It encouraged Sierra Leone to continue fighting trafficking in persons. 105. Mauritania applauded efforts to combat COVID-19, and the response strategy. It welcomed cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. 106. Mauritius applauded the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign as part of the national response against sexual and gender-based violence. 107. Mexico welcomed the creation of the special tribunal to hear sexual violence cases, and of the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign. 108. Montenegro commended the response to COVID-19. Despite efforts in addressing harmful traditional practices, Montenegro regretted the prevalence of female genital mutilation. 109. Morocco noted positively the implementation of a national mid-term development plan to combat poverty and improve the education system. 110. Mozambique recognized the socioeconomic difficulties and challenges that impacted the human rights situation, which included COVID-19. 111. Namibia applauded Sierra Leone for reversing policies that had prevented pregnant girls from returning to school, and for declaring sexual violence a national emergency. 112. Nepal praised the National Land Policy for ensuring equitable access and control over land resources for women. 113. The Netherlands encouraged Sierra Leone to combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and expressed concern about widespread female genital mutilation. 114. The Niger praised the strengthening of sentences for sexual offences and the establishment of a special court for these crimes. 8