61. In the light of its General Comment No.1 on article 30 of the African Children’s Charter, the Committee also recommends the State party to bring its justice system fully in line with the African Children’s Charter and other relevant standards. In particular, the Committee calls up on the state party to extend special treatment for mothers taking into account the best interest of the child beginning from arrest, up to the ultimate conviction, sentencing, imprisonment and reintegration phase of the criminal justice system. Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse 62. The committee notes with concern that despite the government’s efforts to protect girls, sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse, by teachers and other officials remains a major problem in Senegal’s secondary schools. The Committee is further concerned that girls affected by sexual exploitation, harassment, or other forms of abuse, rarely see their cases investigated, or see their perpetrators brought to justice. According to various reports, the problem is exacerbated by the following challenges: lack of a binding national code of conduct that outlines the obligations of teachers, school officials and education actors vis-à-vis students; lack of confidential mechanisms with in school to ensure students can report school-related sexual abuses; lack of accountability and prosecutions for sexual exploitation and harassment; lack of comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education in schools; and stigma associated with reporting sexual abuses 63. The committee recommends that the State Party end the culture of silence around abuse by teachers, encourage girls to speak out, and send an unequivocal message to all education staff that it will not tolerate sexual violence against students. The State Party is also required to adequately respond to cases of sexual and gender based violence by ensuring that: all schools have functioning confidential and independent reporting mechanisms appropriate to the local school context; students affected are promptly referred to external services for health, psychological support and contraceptive needs; and perpetrators of sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse are suspended from any position of authority affecting the complainant or the investigation during investigations, and if there is sufficient evidence, prosecuted, with zero tolerance towards perpetrators, in line with international fair trial standards. 64. The committee further recommends that the State Party a. Adopt a national policy that specifically prohibits all forms of school-related sexual abuse, as well as a national code of conduct 19