A/HRC/42/8 2017 standard operating procedure on case management for women and children in difficult circumstances. 71. Moreover, the Government had been working closely with civil society organizations to prevent domestic violence and help victims. The 24/7 toll-free Woman and Child Helpline had been launched in October 2018. The report on a recently concluded study on violence against women and girls would also serve as a basis for the development of the National Plan of Action for Gender Equality. 72. Furthermore, the Government was working very closely with several civil society organizations to increase women’s political participation and representation. Bhutan had registered an increase in women’s representation in the Parliament and at the local government level. 73. As for matters related to education, corporal punishment in schools had been banned, and training on counselling and neuroscience for teachers would be conducted in 2019. 74. Furthermore, the gross enrolment ratio in secondary education had increased to 89.3 per cent in 2018. By prioritizing access to education, the Government had expanded free basic education from class X to class XII and was providing free boarding facilities, meals, textbooks and stationery. 75. In addition, with the establishment of new colleges, access to tertiary education had improved, with the gross enrolment ratio up to 24.2 per cent. The Government continuously strove to provide access to life-long learning opportunities through non-formal education, which had resulted in an increase in the adult literacy rate. 76. To ensure the attendance and retention of girls in schools, the Government provided free sanitary napkins as well as separate water and sanitation facilities. Furthermore, sexual and reproductive health education had been introduced into the school curriculum, and advocacy programmes were being carried out in secondary schools to raise awareness about teenage pregnancy, mental illness, and substance abuse. 77. The Government was encouraging girls to take science subjects in higher secondary school, through counselling and advocacy programmes. 78. Ukraine commended Bhutan for democratic reforms, particularly the establishment of strong institutional and legislative frameworks on gender equality, rights of children and persons with disabilities. 79. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the resettlement of the country’s Nepali-speaking community, but expressed concern over gender discrimination and freedom of expression. 80. The United States of America welcomed the achievements of Bhutan in democratization, but expressed concern that current legislation could pose undue restrictions on freedom of expression, association and belief. 81. Uruguay commended Bhutan for efforts to promote gender equality and to prevent domestic violence against women and children. It also welcomed the enactment of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act and the establishment of the National Commission for Women and Children. 82. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela commended Bhutan for better access to education, especially for children in rural areas, with boarding schools, free school uniforms and school meals, and free health-care services. 83. Viet Nam commended Bhutan for achievements in poverty reduction, gender equality, reduction of inequality, access to quality education and health-care services, and reducing climate change vulnerabilities. 84. Afghanistan commended Bhutan for policy and institutional initiatives to improve the enjoyment of the right to quality and inclusive education, and for the promotion of women’s and children’s rights. 7