APRM COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT events such as droughts and floods caused by climate change and other factors. The government has undertaken specific projects, such as the National Environmental Police, that contribute to the protection and improvement of the natural and built environment. Nevertheless, most serious challenges, especially climate change, are caused by forces beyond the control of the Government and people of Uganda. xlii. Added to these challenges is rapid population growth due to high fertility rate. The typical Ugandan woman gives birth to an average of nearly seven children in her life time. At one point, Uganda had a population growth rate of 3.2 per cent per year, which gave it the third highest population growth rate in the world. About 58.5 per cent of the population today is below 19 years of age, making Uganda one of the youngest countries in the world. A concerning feature of the population growth rate is that, at this rate, the population is projected to reach 130 million by 2050. xliii. The Government is taking steps to address the negative effects of the high population growth rate. However, not only does this take time to show any meaningful result, there is also a north-south aspect to it, with poverty overly concentrated in the north compared to the south. The Panel thus recommends that Government continue to enhance its efforts to bridge the north-south divide systematically and persistently. xliv. Considering that well over half of the population in Uganda is below the age of 19, it is hardly surprising that youth unemployment is a serious challenge in the country. This problem was identified by CRR 2008 as a key socioeconomic development issue and the Government of Uganda was urged to consider it as a matter of priority. It was therefore recommended that a specific National Youth Policy be designed and implemented to promote employment for the youth. While the Progress Reports as well as the CSAR 2017 have indicated relevant policies and programmes adopted by the Government to combat this menace, youth unemployment is on the rise, with the formal youth unemployment rate standing at 83%, which is a major socioeconomic challenge for Uganda. xlv. Demographic change and educational preferences which have contributed to growing mismatch between labour supply and labour demand, slowdown of the private sector in recent years and limited employment opportunities in the public-sector due to the privatisation of most state-owned enterprises and a prohibitive government wage bill have all combined to perpetuate the high level of youth unemployment. xlvi. When it comes to management of diversity, Uganda has made noticeable progress since the last country review in addressing gender inequality. The major achievements include affirmative action with respect to women representation in Parliament and admission into tertiary training institutions. Yet, many existing laws, particularly those concerning inheritance, are still discriminatory towards women; violence against women and girls continues largely unchecked; etc. The Panel recommends revision of laws when they contain discriminatory provisions and close monitoring of their actual implementation to ensure women's human and legal righst are not undermined by cultural and biases and misconceptions against women. xlvii. Uganda has also demonstrated a long tradition of welcoming and resettling refugees, which has won it international acclaim. Significant efforts have also been made by the Government of Uganda and development partners towards promoting employment for persons with disability (PWDs). Nevertheless, the situation and conditions of marginalised people (ethnic minorities) are steadily deteriorating with increasing competition for natural resources in their areas, the effects of climate change (such as drought) and growing impoverishment. They live in small communities, have limited political representation, lack access to basic services, remain poorer than the average population, and face the risk of extinction. The Panel thus recommends that the Government develop, as a matter of priority, appropriate polcies to avert this danger from materialising. 6. COMMENDABLE PRACTICES, CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES & CONCLUSION Commendable Practices xlviii. The Country Review Mission (CRM) noted several commendable governance policies and practices in Uganda that have been selected for their perceived potential to be of use to other APRM countries facing similar challenges. ? Medico-Legal Services for Victims of Gender-Based Violence: this is a Ugandan programme that provides access to legal services, justice and redress for victims of gender-based violence 8