ensure the respect of the rights of the elderly, persons living with HIV/AIDS, prisoners, refugees, victims of all forms of disasters and vulnerable groups. 361. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity which is at the centre of the institutional mechanisms put in place to ensure the protection of elderly women has the following terms of reference: organization of old people’s homes, protection and integration of vulnerable groups and social assistance to the needy populations. Mention should also be made of the existence of the national anti-sexual violence agenda at the Ministry of Women, Family and Children’s Affairs in the area of gender-based sexual violence against women, as well as young and little girls. 362. Among the administrative measures taken to implement protected rights, mention should be made of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity’s Ministerial Order No. CAB/MIN/AFF.S0/053/95 of 25 March, 1995 on the establishment of the National Department for the Supervision of Elderly Persons (DEPTA). The mission of this department is to ensure the running of homes to accommodate and supervise old people undergoing geriatric treatment in the DRC. 363. Concerning programmes in this area, the National Social Protection Strategy for vulnerable groups and the National Promotion and Social Service Fund can be mentioned. The greatest difficulty for the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at improving the conditions of elderly women is the inadequacy of financial and material resources. 364. In the area of public sensitization and education, it is necessary to remember that 30 October every year has been set aside as the International Day of Older Persons, IDOP. The celebration of this day is a call on the authorities and Congolese society in general as well as civil society organizations to improve the welfare conditions of elderly people in particular and vulnerable persons in general. On this occasion, several activities are organized to involve the public and private sectors so as to ensure the issuance of certificates to the destitute for their identification, accommodation and holistic welfare. • PROTECTION OF WOMEN LIVING WITH DISABILITIES (Article 23) 365. The DRC has acceded to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, while the law on its implementation is before Parliament. Mention should also be made of the existence of the department for the coordination of the readjustment activities of persons with disabilities (DICOREPHA) at the Ministry of Social Affairs which supervises the specialized departments of the ministry and civil society bodies. The Government is working towards the systematization of the poor level of support to the families of children with disabilities. • PROTECTION OF WOMEN IN DISTRESS (Article 24) 366. To improve the situation of women in distress, the government has put in place a rural development fund to facilitate access to credit in the rural areas. A micro-credit system suited to the needs of rural women is being organized to support their income-generating activities. 367. In addition, the Congolese prison system provides for separate cells for men and women in the prison environment. The prison administration is giving special attention to pregnant women, particularly in the area of health. 70