A/HRC/39/6 78. Nepal congratulated Colombia on the historic peace agreement signed in 2016. It appreciated the continuous efforts of Colombia to protect human rights through various measures, particularly the National Strategy for Guaranteeing Human Rights. 79. The Netherlands congratulated Colombia on the successful demobilization and disarmament of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which had helped end the decades-long armed conflict. However, the peace agreement was ambitious, and many challenges were hampering its full implementation. 80. The Niger congratulated the Government on its efforts to reach a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, making it possible to end a longrunning conflict and creating new momentum for peace and stability. 81. Nigeria welcomed the adoption by Colombia of the National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons, the National Public Policy on Gender Equity for Women and the Comprehensive Plan to Guarantee Women a Life Free from Violence. 82. Norway commended the efforts of the Government to establish peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation Army, which represented a unique opportunity to strengthen the human rights situation in Colombia. 83. Paraguay stated that the signing and progressive implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace allowed Colombia to send a message of peace and reconciliation to the Human Rights Council and the world. 84. The delegation of Colombia highlighted the decisions of the Constitutional Court approving marriage equality and adoption by same-sex couples. The State was committed to non-regression in the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, and a policy was in place guaranteeing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. Measures were also being taken to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Moreover, ethnic communities had been guaranteed the right to prior consultation. Furthermore, the National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons had been adopted. 85. The delegation stated that 30 per cent of public spending had been allocated to the education and health of 15 million children and adolescents. The school dropout rate had fallen to 3 per cent. Some 1.9 million children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old had been given access to nutrition, education and health services, including vaccinations. About 90 per cent of children in urban and rural areas had received the full complement of vaccinations. While the rate of chronic malnutrition among children under 5 years old had fallen, the alarming number of child deaths as a result of malnutrition in La Guajira was a major challenge that Colombia was working to address. The rate of teenage pregnancy had fallen; it currently stood at 17 per cent. 86. Policies had been adopted for the eradication of child labour and the prevention of recruitment of children by illegal armed groups. In addition, Colombia had adopted a national policy on decent work. During the reporting period, 3.5 million people had found employment, 74 per cent of them in the formal sector. The rate of unemployment among women had fallen and the number of attacks against trade unionists had decreased. 87. The delegation stressed the decisive role that women had played in the negotiation process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and in the implementation of the peace agreement. The president of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace was a woman, and 53 per cent of magistrates were women. The Special Unit for the Search for Persons deemed as missing in the context of and due to the armed conflict was also led by a woman. The National Public Policy on Gender Equity for Women and the Comprehensive Plan to Guarantee Women a Life Free from Violence were being implemented. Moreover, measures to improve access to justice for women victims of sexual violence had been strengthened, femicide had been defined as a specific offence, and the Protocol for Comprehensive Health Care for Victims of Sexual Violence was being implemented. 88. The “More Women, More Democracy” campaign had resulted in an increase in the number of women standing for election from 20 to 34 per cent between 2011 and 2018; the number of women in Congress had risen from 14 to 22 per cent between 2010 and 2018. In 8