A/HRC/4/104 page 9 17. The Committee is concerned at the reported widespread prevalence of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence in many States parties. It has made numerous recommendations to States parties to prevent and punish violence against women. 18. The Committee has addressed the issue of trafficking in women and children and allegations of official involvement for purposes of sexual and other exploitation. It regrets instances when little or no information is made available to it on assistance for victims, specific measures to combat trafficking, including criminal legislation, and training for law enforcement personnel and other relevant groups are required by articles 2, 10 and 16, and sentences handed down to State agents under national criminal codes. It has recommended that States parties take appropriate measures to combat trafficking and provide protection and redress to all victims. 19. The Committee has expressed concern about the absence of measures to protect migrant workers at risk, particularly female domestic workers who allege that they have been subjected to sexual violence and are confined and/or prevented from lodging complaints. The Committee has also expressed concerns about allegations of torture and ill-treatment of members of vulnerable groups, including indigenous peoples and sexual minorities, and recommended that States parties ensure that such allegations are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. The Committee notes the limited guarantees available to women asylum-seekers to be interrogated by female officers and has recommended that States parties ensure that women asylum-seekers are interviewed by women officers in all instances. With respect to reparations, the Committee has requested States parties to pay attention to gender discrimination and the most vulnerable groups of women. 20. The Committee recommends that gender issues be included in training courses for all persons who may be involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of detained individuals. It regularly requests States to provide statistical information, disaggregated by, inter alia, gender, in relation to complaints of torture and ill-treatment allegedly committed by law enforcement officials and related investigations, prosecution and penal and disciplinary measures. It has recommended that States parties establish effective and independent oversight mechanisms to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all reported allegations, and the legal prosecution or punishment of those found guilty. E. Convention on the Rights of the Child 21. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has highlighted concerns relating to the girl child in its concluding observations on States parties reports. Issues of concern relating to the rights of the girl child include improving the health needs of girls; the situation of girls in armed conflict; combating trafficking and eliminating child labour - including prostitution and sexual exploitation; and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, early marriages and early pregnancy, among others. In addition, the Committee has prioritized concerns relating to the education of the girl child, urging States parties to amend or withdraw discriminatory laws and renounce practices which prevent pregnant girls from continuing with their education. The Committee regularly notes that the situation of the girl child is of particular concern in rural and remote areas where girls live under the influence of community and religious leaders and face persistent harmful traditions and practices, and suggests that customary, religious and

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