result of high level of domestic household task and society’s less value towards girls
education. Further, girls are discriminated in succession. There are also reports that
reveal that children born out of wedlock are discriminated by the society at the time
of inheritance. The Committee, hence, recommends that the State Party through its
executive and judiciary branches enforces the laws and tangibly ensure that children
born out of wedlock, children with disabilities, and girls are not discriminated. To this
end, the State Party should create awareness among parents and the society on the
negative effects of discrimination; create conducive environment for children with
disability in schools and health care facilities; and provide incentive for girls in
schools. Furthermore, the State Party should closely monitor succession
proceedings in urban and rural areas to ensure that girls and children born out of
wedlock are not discriminated during succession.
9. Finally, the Committee recommends for the State Party to take affirmative actions for
children living in rural and remote areas with a view of providing them with equal
basic services as urban children.
Best interests of the child
10. The Committee notes with appreciation that the best interest of the child is given
consideration in cases of inter-country adoption as well as civil and criminal court
proceedings concerning the child. The Committee further encourages the State party
to make the best interest of the child its primary consideration in enacting laws,
policies and regulations; in allocating budget for various sectors; and in all measures
taken that could supposedly affect children.
Right to life, survival and development
11. The Committee welcomes the ratification of the Second Protocol to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which abolishes death penalty. The State
Party report also indicates that the State Party is in the process of domesticating the
Protocol by initiating a law reform and adopting a bill that abolishes death penalty.
The Committee encourages the State Party to expedite the process before the
Council of Ministers.
12. While noting the decline in the rate of under-five mortality, the Committee still regrets
that under-five mortality is very high, which stands at 62%. Even though the
maternal mortality rate has not increased as mentioned in the State Party reports,
the Committee is concerned that it has not decreased too. Moreover, the Committee
is concerned that a significant number of children under the age of 5 suffer from
chronic malnutrition, acute malnutrition and are underweight. As Malaria is the
primary cause for child mortality, the Committee regrets that the proportion of underfive children who have gained appropriate anti-malarial drugs is very low. Therefore,
the Committee urges the State Party to:
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