E. Family environment and alternative care Protection of the family 31. The Committee appreciates the steps the State has taken to safeguard the family. However, the Committee notes with concern that there are many children who are abandoned and who are orphans; and that the State Party has limited resources to address this situation. The Committee also notes that the Family Protection Bill is still a draft. The Committee hence encourages the State Party to: a. Expedite the adoption of the Family Protection Bill; b. Raise awareness on the value and importance of family for the wellbeing of children and tackle the current decline of the family; c. Raise the budget allocated for the protection of the family in accordance with its need; d. Prevent breakdown of families by providing mediation and addressing the root causes of family breakdown; Adoption 32. The Committee commends the State Party for its effort in monitoring the Charitable Children Institutions, promoting domestic adoption and setting a time limit in international adoption for second time adoption by the same parents. However, there are Charitable Children Institutions which are not yet registered by the State Party. The Committee recommends that the State Party expedite the registration of the Charitable Children Institutions which operate without being registered. The Committee in addition encourages an escalated regulation and monitoring of these institutions and setting minimum standards which need to be observed by the Charitable Children Institutions. The Committee brings the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children and the Guidelines for Action on Inter-country Adoption of Children in Africa to the attention of the State Party for its action. Parental responsibility 33. There are many instances where fathers fail to pay maintenance which is a problematic issue for the Committee affecting the socio-economic status of children and their well-being. The Committee encourages the State Party to effectively enforce maintenance orders. 34. The Committee recommends that the State Party takes measures to ensure that both parents bear equal responsibility for their children and avoids any practice to the contrary. It also recommends that effective measures be taken against parents who fail to discharge their parental responsibilities. 9