A/HRC/38/6 2007–2013 strategy and on the need to ensure greater coherence in the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation. Additionally, many sectoral strategies concerning human rights contained provisions on combating discrimination. Awareness-raising activities had been carried out in the framework of those strategies in order to effectively achieve the desired results. For example, between 2015 and 2017, several public awareness-raising campaigns had been carried out and professional training delivered on gender equality. 9. The National Council for Combating Discrimination had become increasingly effective in its work. It had received a growing number of petitions over the reporting period. It had also received more requests to provide its expert opinion on judicial proceedings. The courts had continued to play an important role in ensuring respect of the principle of non-discrimination by giving due consideration to European and international practices. 10. The Government attributed great importance to the protection of the rights of persons belonging to vulnerable groups. It had therefore adopted a series of normative acts to improve protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. A national strategy for 2016–2020 entitled “A society without barriers for persons with disabilities” aimed to ensure the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and embraced the vision of the European Disability Strategy 2010–2020. The national strategy underlined the authorities’ commitment to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities. 11. Several measures had been taken regarding the legal representation of persons with disabilities during the reporting period. For example, a new law adopted in 2016 provided for the creation of a council to monitor the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in general and in particular, to review the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in residential institutions and to follow up cases of deaths in such institutions. The Prosecutor General had set out clear guidelines on how to conduct effective investigations into reports of violations of the rights of persons with disabilities. The Prosecutor’s Office had taken several measures to ensure that crimes perpetrated against persons with disabilities in residential institutions or against individuals placed in mental health institutions were effectively investigated. 12. The Government continued to pursue efforts to reduce child poverty, including by relying on financial support from the European Union. All the national strategies addressing the social exclusion of different groups of vulnerable children set a requirement for an integrated national response to address the multiple drivers of inequality. The provision of individualized and integrated support through single entry points or personalized case managers could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of social services. The National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child and Adoption had strengthened its capacity to develop new, evidence-based policies for deinstitutionalization by making use of funds from the European Union. 13. Additionally, in 2017, Parliament had adopted a law establishing the Ombudsman for Children, following recommendations from several United Nations human rights bodies. Thus, Romania would have an independent institution to supervise the way children’s rights were respected nationwide in 2018. 14. Measures had also been taken to address violence against children. Several awareness-raising campaigns conducted by the Government in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and civil society organizations had contributed to the recognition of various forms of violence and abuse. The number of reported cases of physical violence and neglect had increased. In 2016, Romania had become a pioneer in the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children, committing to identify and operationalize initiatives to end violence against children, and to deliver comprehensive prevention and response services against violence. 15. The National Agency against Trafficking in Persons had been managing an integrated system for maintaining regular contact with the victims of human trafficking. The system contained data on victims of human trafficking identified in Romania, as well as Romanian citizens identified as victims abroad. 3