CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE __________________________________________________________________________ 40,000. Whatever the number of victims, this trafficking constitutes a grave violation of the rights of children and must be eradicated at all costs (see the National Plan of Action to combat child trafficking for purposes of exploitation in child labour of the MFE, validated in October 2007). 315. With regard to girls, a massive mobilisation of civil society, particularly NGOs and women, and various awareness campaigns have led to recent progress made in the area of female circumcision. However, it seems that in certain regions, girls continue to be subjected to this practice despite the 2003 law. Many of them are victims of early and forced marriages. In addition, some are exposed to harassment and sexual violence or are made prostitutes to support their family financially. Some state officials take advantage of their positions to abuse girls sexually. It is reported that certain teachers ‘sexually negotiate’ the passage of girl pupils to higher classes. 316. The youth and their participation in governance. The youth constitute the largest segment of the Beninese population. They face multiple socioeconomic and cultural challenges. These include illiteracy; dropping out of school; maladjustment; an inappropriate education; the absence of a suitable support policy at educational, cultural, and leisure levels; and unemployment. At the Youth Forum held on 28 July in Cotonou, many of them demanded greater involvement in decision making. In addition, faced with the lack of a National Youth Council, they used their meeting with the CRM to request a second meeting, on Sunday 29 July, to continue their work on the four thematic areas of the APRM, to make proposals and recommendations, and to suggest that the National Youth Council be created. 317. With regard to good political governance, they hoped to see the number of political parties reduced, and demanded that the High Court become operational and that magistrates be elected rather than appointed. Their demands also dealt with the development of African and Beninese culture. They called for a reform of the constitution to include these cultural values and to introduce national languages to the education system. As education in citizenship and democracy is a priority, they demanded that civic education be introduced to schools as it promotes learning about human rights and democratic values such as dialogue, pluralism, tolerance and respect for others. They hoped that education, which provides the means to acquire knowledge and necessary skills and qualifications, would enable them to take control of their own lives and futures. iii. Recommendations of the APR Panel 318. The APR Panel recommends that: The government should:  Adopt the Child Protection Code and a strategy to combat violence. 123