The State Party has reported that it has undertaken efforts to improve on and combat child mortality rates. As a result of these efforts, the child mortality rate has been reduced in the 2000’s as compared to the 1990s. It also reported that around 250,000 children die each year from otherwise preventable diseases, with 80% of the deaths occurring at home; approximately half of all infant deaths occurring in the week after birth with neo-natal deaths accounting for 29% of the under-five mortality rate. The Committee observes that although data obtained from the Poverty and Human Development Report 2005 suggests that almost 100% of the urban population and close to three quarters of the rural population live within five kilometers of a health centre or dispensary, this fact is, in practical terms, unrealistic. That can only be achieved if health centres and/or dispensaries are established in each and every ward just as it has been the case for secondary schools. The Committee urges the State Party to ensure that every ward (in both Mainland and Zanzibar) has a medical clinic fully equipped with medication and competent staff that would help in reducing childhood and infant mortality rates, as has been achieved with the provision of schools. Resources for advocacy on the importance of immunization in reducing infant and child mortality should also be made available to the officials in the various wards, for increased awareness. Female Genital Mutilation & harmful traditional practices. The State Party has reported that although it has undertaken policy and legislative measures to curb FGM/C, the practice continues and is widespread, even with several strategies and initiatives including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Reproductive Health Strategy and its National Plan of Action for the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation and other Harmful Traditional Practices (2001-2005). A National Secretariat on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation exits, and the Sexual Offences (Special Provisions) Act of 1998 was developed with the aim of protecting the dignity and integrity of women in matters pertaining to rape, defilement, 8