in rural areas and children in female-headed households are more poor and food insecure than children living in the capital city and children in male-headed households. The government of Liberia should make all efforts to improve on the quality of care and provide well equipped health care facilities and clinics including well trained health workers in rural areas and provide for free health service for poor children. The Committee appreciates the State Party for the progress made in improving on primary healthcare services and also the efforts to eliminate Maternal and neonatal tetanus. But the Committee is concerned that many children are still dying from preventable diseases notably, the high levels of child morbidity and mortality, mainly attributable to malaria (67%), pneumonia (14%) and malnutrition (13%). Hence, the Committee recommends the State Party to strengthen system of monitoring nutritional and health conditions of children and promote positive nutritional practices at community level. This includes developing nutritional programs that can limit stunting and other forms of malnutrition. There are indication that there is an increased use of breast milk substitutes in recent years and very low rate of breastfeeding among suckling mothers. The State Party should accelerate the promotion of breast-feeding and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, also as a means to combat the high prevalence of infant malnutrition in the country. The Committee notes that access to sexual and reproductive health services particularly for adolescents is very limited. Reports indicate that teenage pregnancy are alarming particularly in certain areas of the State party, including Grand Kru, River Gee, Lofa and Montserrado counties; there is also concern on the high incidence of teenage pregnancies as well as high level of clandestine abortions by adolescent girls. The Committee recommends the State Party to develop and adopt a national strategy on prevention of teenage pregnancy including adolescent-sensitive and confidential services; to revise the legislation on abortion notably with a view to guaranteeing the best interests of pregnant teenagers and avoiding teenage girls resorting to clandestine abortions at the risk of their lives; There is a concern on widespread smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use among adolescents and on the limited programs and services available for those affected by substance abuse. The State Party should coordinate with CSOs to develop strategic plan and programs to address drug abuse among children and adolescents including 9