The National Committee on the Fight Against Harmful Traditional Practices (CONIPRAT) has campaigned actively for the prohibition of excision. This practice is now classified as a legal offence and is punishable by law (sections 232(1), (2) and (3) of the penal code). V. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND LEGAL GUARDIAN a) Parental supervision (article 20) a1. Administrative, legislative and judicial measures Article 19 of the Constitution provides that: “Parents have the right and duty to raise and educate their children. They shall be supported in this task by the State and local governments”. The CRC in its article 18 States the same provisions. In traditional society, education is the responsibility of the entire society. Children are initiated into rites in preparation for their future life. For example, in case of circumcision, all children of the same age are brought together and prepared psychologically. He who shows a sign of weakness becomes the laughing stock of the village. b) Parental responsibility (article 20, 1) b1. Administrative, legislative and judicial measures: Under article 19 of the Constitution, parents have prime responsible for the education of their children. The State and communities must support them in this task. The CRC in its article 18 also recognizes this principle. In civil and criminal matters, parents are financially responsible for acts committed by their minor children. b2. Limitations: The extreme poverty of households makes it difficult to apply this principle. In fact, neither parents nor the State conveniently play their role. The result is an upsurge in street children, some of who do petty jobs to earn a livelihood instead of being at school while others turn to delinquency. c) Separation from parents c1. Administrative, legislative and judicial measures: These measures are governed by Ordinance No. 99-11 of 14 May 1999: in case of placement ; remand in custody; sentence to imprisonment. 19