which had already guaranteed equal rights in this area (articles 8 and 9), was supplemented by the Nationality Act No. 79/AN/04/5th L. The new Nationality Code places greater emphasis on equality between men and women with regard to the transmission of nationality to their children and spouse. 225. The education system reform initiated in 1999 led to the adoption of the Education Act No. 96/AN/04/4th L which guarantees the right to education for all children from age 6 to 16 years without discrimination. Basic education is free and compulsory though pre-school is optional. 226. Emphasis placed on access and equity has resulted in an increase in school enrolment rates at all levels. Efforts have also been made by Djibouti since 2000 to promote girls’ education and reduce gender disparities: definition of a framework of action for the promotion of girls’ education, organization of social gatherings in favour of girls' education, reduction of school fees, enhancement of school conditions (access to water and electricity, functional latrines, school canteens, dormitories in isolated schools, health clinics in schools) and construction of 20 schools in rural areas between 2006 and 2008. 227. Consequently, gender parity, increasingly on the rise in the basic education sub-sector (primary and intermediate), could be effective in 2015. The pace is however much slower in other sub-sectors (secondary, technical, professional, higher). Djibouti has adopted appropriate administrative and financial measures to increase equal opportunity between girls and boys in education as well as increase intake capacities. 228. It is committed to eliminating gender stereotypes and discriminatory images in school textbooks and pedagogical documents by raising the awareness of curriculum developers and training teachers in this regard. 229. Various pieces of labour-related legislation such as the Labour Act No. 133/AN/05/5th L of January 2006 contribute to efforts being deployed by Djibouti to develop a legal arsenal in favour of equal employment. The Code recognizes the principle of non-discrimination between the sexes as regards access to employment (Article 1) and wages (Article 137) and grants women specific rights in terms of maternity and delivery (articles 112 to 116). 230. Equal access to healthcare is an issue that Djibouti is tackling through its health policy. Act No. 048/AN/99/4th L on the health policy covers the right to health for all based on the principle of solidarity in terms of healthcare access and spending. This legislation requires the State to provide priority assistance to vulnerable populations including children, mothers and persons with disabilities. To ensure greater equity in health matters, the State established the Department of Maternal and Child Health, implemented several programmes on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS among others, acquired new equipment for health facilities and enhanced the capacities of its human resources. 231. In view of the fact that cultural factors are the most significant barrier to ensuring balance of rights between men and women and the need to overcome these and hence improve the status of women in Djibouti, a series of measures were initiated for the integration of women in development. 232. As early as 1999, this political vision was translated into action with the establishment of a ministry in charge of women's empowerment, family welfare and social affairs, attached to the Prime Minister’s 45