E/CN.4/1999/48 page 22 age; and number of persons in prison per 100,000 people. Indicators of gender inequality and any other inequalities, such as those by age and by ethnic origin, shall also be included. 95. Finally, United Nations Funds, Programmes and agencies should promote a policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective and use gender analysis as a tool for the integration of a gender dimension into the planning and implementation of policies, strategies and programmes on poverty eradication. IV. STUDY CASES 96. In 1998, the independent expert visited five countries - Albania, Bulgaria, France, Portugal and Yemen - where she found that efforts to combat poverty had had positive results. Some of these States had enacted excellent legislation which could serve as a model for other countries. Comparative analysis of legislation, despite its limitations, can help to reduce the timescale for action considerably: this occurred, for example, with France's Act against Social Exclusion in France and Portugal's Guaranteed Minimum Income Act. A. Portugal 97. The independent expert visited Portugal on 29 and 30 October 1998. Of all European countries, it is Portugal that has most recently tried to enact a range of instruments to combat poverty; these include the Act of 29 June 1996, introducing a guaranteed minimum income of 23,000 escudos per month, and targeting in particular women and children (who comprise 43 per cent of its beneficiaries). 98. The Act was accompanied by a decree-law establishing local boards (324 nationwide) to administer the guaranteed minimum wage; they are a key element in what is an example of good governance on poverty in the developed world, grounded in the reinforcement of the local mutual aid network by linking official administrators with community organizations. 99. Some 70,000 persons have also benefited from specific job training programmes. Job placement is a local responsibility assumed by private NGOs with seats on the local boards. Funding is provided partly by the State and in some cases from resources provided by the NGOs on the local boards. B. Bulgaria 100. During her stay in Bulgaria, from 11 to 18 November 1998, the independent expert had meetings with the country's highest authorities and with all services responsible for combating poverty. As a country in transition, restructuring has undoubtedly taken its toll, but the Government is working with the World Bank and in close collaboration with the United Nations system on a serious anti-poverty programme, coordinated at the national level by UNDP. 101. A Social Investment Fund has been set up to create jobs through microprojects or small businesses. A law enacted in September 1998 aims to restore “health security” by 2000 for polyclinics and by 2001 for hospitals.