clashes with international conventions on the promotion and protection of the rights of children and needs to adapt to the provisions of those international codes. • Other forms of child labour such as using children as house servants, and their commercial use to shine shoes and peddle goods in urban areas, have not been sufficiently addressed by the Ethiopian federal government or the governments of the various regional states where such practices prevail. The CSAR reports that Ethiopian government statistics on child labour are at odds with those made available by UNICEF and other sources. • Traditional practices that are harmful to children remain widespread around the country. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the most egregious. • Teenage prostitution and sexual exploitation of children are common practices in Addis Ababa and other urban centres. These are attributed, in part, to rural-urban migration, family breakdown, early marriage, and displacement. Although government and NGOs are tackling these problems, much more needs to be done. • Child soldiering is said to be practiced infrequently. CSAR revealed that both parties were said to have recruited child soldiers during the Ethiopia-Eritrea war. • Child beggars are also seen as a major problem. In addition to children, numerous young mothers are reported seen with their children begging in the streets of Addis Ababa and other urban centres. • There is a general rise in the number of children on the streets. Ministry of Labour and UNICEF disagree on the numbers. The Ministry of Labour puts the figures for children living in the street at 150,000. UNICEF claims that the number is much higher. Not only is the number said to be high, it is also said to be rising. II. Findings of CRM 239 The CRM observed that the Federal Constitution and laws of Ethiopia provide significant protection and promotion of the rights of children. Ethiopia has also signed and ratified the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, the Ethiopian Government has not ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in - 112 -