environmental health. Various factors influence the nutritional security, and by extension the nutritional status of individuals, communities and populations.  244. According to the EDS IV of 2006, acute malnutrition rate (weight/height) and chronic malnutrition rate (size/age) were 15.2% and 38% respectively, while the prevalence of underweight was 26.7%. In 2006, 81% of children below 5 years and 67% of women were anaemic or suffered from iron deficiency, making it one of the highest rates in the world. The direct causes of malnutrition in Mali are linked to inadequate food intake, diseases and inappropriate care practices.  245. The timid response by the population to voluntary HIV screening, despite the strides in this domain, as well as the abandonment of ARV treatment (11%) for a significant initiated portion of patients are concerns to be addressed with the help of other departments including education to induce the change of behaviour of users of health services.  246. Sluggish procedures causing delays in mobilizing the planned financial resources significantly contribute to the non or low achievement of certain expected results (for instance: the delay in conducting the EDSM.V, in preparing the Ten-Year Health and Social Development Plan and for the empowerment of Women, children and families, as well as their five-year programmes, etc.)  PROSPECTS 247. Faced with the shortcomings and challenges to be met, measures were taken that enabled among others, the conduct of an external and independent assessment of TenYear Health and Social Development Plan in May 2011. Thereafter, it was the start of the process to design a new Ten-Year Plan (2012-2021) and its five-year programmes. This would lead to the consolidation of the achievements and the development of new innovative strategies to boost the level of certain key indicators, so as to accelerate the current measures for universal access to health services and care, which will significantly ensure the reduction of inequalities.  248. To achieve this, synergies will be developed with other sectoral departments whose actions will contribute to significantly enhance the level of the selected target indicators. Here, there will be reinforcement of on-going measures related to A.M.O, and the promotion of mutual health among others.  249. Furthermore, the development and implementation of the new National Strategic Framework for the fight against HIV and AIDS, 2012-2016/17 is an opportunity to address the shortcomings and strengthen cross-sectoral synergies to achieve the expected results. The right to education and the right for individuals to take part in cultural activities (Article 17) A. The right to education 50