Protection against abuse and torture
20. The Committee notes with appreciation the various legislative measures taken to
protect children from abuse and torture. However, sources of the Committee indicate
that various forms of violence, including physical, physiological and sexual abuse,
are still being perpetrated against children. In particular, the Committee was
informed that corporal punishment is prevalent within the home and school settings.
During the Constructive dialogue with the State Party, the Committee has also
observed that the Child Rights Act tolerates reasonable punishment being
perpetrated against children; the Committee recommends the State Party to repeal
the relevant clause in the Act with a view to completely prohibit corporal punishment
in all settings.
E. Family environment and alternative care
Parental guidance and parental responsibilities
21. The Committee notes that the Child Rights Act recognizes and protects the rights of
all children to parental care and that the State Party through the Ministry of Social
Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs has established a Unit called the Family
Support Unit, and a Family Case Work Unit. The Committee recommends the State
Party to provide technical and financial support to the Family Support Unit and the
Family Case Work Unit and ensure their accessibility to families in all districts and
marginalized areas of the country. The Committee further recommends the State
Party to strengthen the support systems for vulnerable families and take appropriate
measures to support and foster the capacity of parents, to perform their
responsibilities in the upbringing of their children through family support programmes
Separation of children and family reunification
22. The Committee recommends the state party to strengthen the process of family
reunification for children who are separated from their families as a result of conflict
and the Ebola crisis. The Committee further urges the State Party to provide support
to economically underprivileged families instead of resorting to alternative care to
children who come from such families.
Alternative care and adoption
23. The Committee notes with appreciation the legislative measures taken to ensure that
children deprived of parental care or their family environment are provided with
alternative care arrangements. Form the Constructive dialogue with the State Party
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