A/HRC/56/51 of poverty have contributed to the debate and development of a public strategy on care. In another country, the recommendations contained in the Working Group’s report on women’s human rights in the changing world of work have been used to elaborate a national labour policy, as well as to design targeted actions in support of the economic empowerment of women and girls from marginalized communities. In the same country, other reports by the Working Group have inspired sensitization campaigns on “new masculinities” and the implementation of a programme for the development and dissemination of comprehensive sex education. 58. Lastly, one State indicated that certain judicial decisions, including one decriminalizing abortion, had been inspired by the Working Group’s reports. (b) Country visits 59. The Working Group assessed the situation of women’s and girls’ human rights in Poland, Greece, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Afghanistan, Malta and Mauritania, in collaboration with the States concerned and other stakeholders, noting achievements, challenges and pathways to progress and putting forward recommendations for further advancement towards the elimination of discrimination against women and girls. It met with representatives of central and local authorities and women’s and girls’ rights organizations and with women and girls themselves. In the preparation phase, it engaged with United Nations country teams, including UN-Women, when present, and built on the recommendations made by international and regional human rights mechanisms. Furthermore, in 2023, the Working Group undertook its first-ever joint country visit, together with the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan. 60. Some of these country visits contributed to triggering important changes. For example, in the light of the concerns raised and the recommendations formulated by the Working Group, one State amended its legislation to recognize that sex without consent is rape. Another State started developing an implementation plan based on the Working Group’s recommendations. 61. The Working Group has tried to ensure a follow-up to its country visits, within the limits of the resources available. In 2023, it sent follow-up letters to the States visited and looks forward to their cooperation. It thanks the six States that have responded, as well as the civil society organizations that have provided inputs. (c) Communications 62. In its communications, the Working Group has continued to collaborate with other mandate holders, sending joint communications whenever relevant in the light of the cross-cutting human rights issues involved. It has maintained its practice of using such communications as a tool to start a dialogue with concerned actors on widespread discriminatory legal approaches and practices, such as restrictions on women’s mobility due to requirements of “male guardianship”. Between 1 April 2018 and 21 October 2023, the Working Group sent 498 communications, 487 of them jointly with other mandate holders. In total, 251 substantive replies were received. 63. The communications have contributed to bringing about positive changes in national legislation and practices. For example, one State reported that the Working Group’s communications had been important in drawing attention to certain legislative provisions and practices that discriminate, directly or indirectly, against women and girls and that they had consequently informed national efforts to change those provisions and practices, including in areas such as establishing the minimum age for marriage. They had also contributed to counteracting regressions in family law. In another State, the Working Group’s communications contributed to the adoption of a piece of legislation providing for safe, legal and affordable access to abortion. In yet another, a communication sent by the Working Group helped to bring about the distribution of free sanitary pads to underprivileged primary and secondary school students, women in vulnerable situations and prisoners. 64. The responses to the Working Group’s questionnaire highlight that the urgent appeals that the Working Group has sent jointly with other mandate holders have helped to raise 14 GE.24-07559