D - Respect for the views of children / information and promotion of their participation The CAP survey on early childhood care (2004) and the study on the education of girls in Congo (2006) had revealed a local conception of the child that does not promote dialogue and especially the inclusion of his/her opinion. The child is considered to be a small human being or a plant that needs a lot of attention and care for its harmonious growth. It is for him/her to obey and internalise the lessons of life that he/she is taught. Before the age of 10, he/she is entitled to the attentions of all kinds, we can even talk with him/her, entertain him/her, play with him/her, maintain good friendly rapport. One can listen to him/her and discuss with him/her, but he/she must always be obedient listening to the advice and be ready to move to the stage of adolescence. At that stage, the difference is marked between the girl who must confide more to her mother and the boy who must try to imitate his father and learn from him. The lack of open dialogue between father and daughter and frequent strict controls were reported by many girls as an obstacle to their development (in the Study on the education of girls in Congo; UNICEF, 2006). Parents of students and teachers interviewed confirmed this. But there is a long educational work to engage in for a real change within the family. This overall pattern also applies to indigenous people and vulnerable groups who might be suspected of a greater laxity and a tendency to economic and sexual exploitation of children. The right of the child to be heard is a constant concern of the legislator and the judge who both place a special interest in the principle of the best interests of the child. For instance, in the case of a trial aiming to determining custody of children during divorce proceedings, the judge is required to allow the child to express his/her choice about the parent who would exercise parental authority over him/her. His/her choice is often preferred over parents’ procrastination. In the administrations of justice, the child is taken into account by the judge. During the separation of parents, for example, the child is heard, and his/her view is decisive if he/she is capable of discernment. Moreover, Social Affairs’ specialised administrations are ready to intervene on the ground, within families, to protect the child or intercede in cases of serious offenses and in cases of runaway. Within the family, the question is similar to that of respect for the views of children. Parental education and awareness campaigns that the children's parliament organises at central level and in the departments help parents to understand this principle. In terms of proper information of the child, it is clear that the school provision is still insufficient. To stop early pregnancy at school, a special law was enacted (Law No. 32-65 of 22 June 1966 on the protection of promoted students). Cases of unwanted pregnancies continue due to lack of information and lack of enforcement of the law. However, information of children about HIV and AIDS, has an important component in the national policy in this area and significant resources have been devoted to it. They led to the establishment of a national network of peer educators and small cells of education and monitoring in schools and in neighbourhoods. They combine appropriate information and stakeholder participation. 30