A/HRC/53/14 commencement of treatment leading to viral suppression, the provision of free condoms in facilities, the conduct of behavioural change campaigns, the elimination of mother-to-child transmission and the implementation of voluntary medical male circumcision. 17. Measures to reduce maternal mortality, by ensuring universal access to family planning, skilled attendants at birth and basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care, had continued to be implemented. During the period under review, 563 of the projected 650 health posts and 92 of 115 mini-hospitals had been constructed. Construction of a specialized hospital for mothers and newborns was in progress in Lusaka. 18. The Mental Health Act of 2019 had been enacted, and mental health services had been introduced in provinces and districts. Free health and education services had been provided to all migrant persons in refugee camps and at border posts. 19. The education for all national policy had been revised and included the home-grown school feeding programme, which was aimed at increasing school enrolment, reducing absenteeism and enhancing children’s nutritional status and cognitive development. Free education from early childhood to the secondary level had been introduced. Access to education for children with special educational needs had been enhanced through the provision of user-friendly facilities. 20. A two-tier educational system had been implemented that offered learners an opportunity to follow either an academic or vocational career path. Girls who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy had continued to be encouraged to return to school after giving birth. The menstrual hygiene management programme was aimed at reducing absenteeism by providing appropriate infrastructure, materials, free-of-charge menstrual hygiene products and training for adolescent girls. 21. Pursuant to the Anti-Gender-based Violence Act of 2011, various measures had been implemented to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The measures had been aimed at increasing access to essential services for survivors of gender-based violence and engaging traditional leaders on tackling social norms that promoted the subordination of women. 22. Zambia had progressively endeavoured to ensure that women took up leadership positions. Since 2016, all vice-presidents had been women, and the thirteenth National Assembly of Zambia had elected the first female Speaker. The Deputy Speaker was also a woman. 23. The prevention of child, early and forced marriage had been addressed through the enactment of the Children’s Code Act of 2022. The Act also prohibited the economic exploitation of children. 24. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) had been integrated into the Zambia Correctional Service Act of 2021. Zambia had embarked on building and renovating infrastructure to provide for the effective separation of children who were in conflict with the law and awaiting trial from adults. 25. Abortion had not been liberalized. The Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1972, which set out conditions to be satisfied before an abortion was procured, to protect the right to life of the unborn child, continued to be applicable. 26. Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Voting Patterns and Electoral Violence had been implemented through legal, administrative and institutional reforms. The access to information bill was in the process of being drafted, and it would enhance the independence and freedom of journalists. Various provisions in the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code that prejudiced the independence of the media were being reviewed, and legislation on human rights defenders was being developed. 27. Zambia had faced various challenges in the implementation of recommendations from the previous review, which included the global economic downtrend, financial constraints and competing needs, such as the holding of the general election in 2021 and unplanned expenditure in dealing with emerging issues, such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. 4 GE.23-04188