A/HRC/7/66 page 6 to the ability of security agencies to assure meaningful public order management. Frequent unrest over land use and ownership because of poor title registration, which often resulted in one property being claimed by several persons, was also reported. The consequences of these incidents are ominous for peace and security for a country still faced by a tense political situation and fragile peace. C. Children’s rights 10. Some steps have been taken on the legislative front to promote and protect children’s rights. UNIOSIL provided technical support and facilitated advocacy in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and child rights organizations, for the enactment of the Child Rights Act (2007), which harmonizes all existing national legislation on children and brings it into compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, the Act does not address the widespread practice of female genital mutilation and the specific needs and rights of children with disabilities. A crucial provision aimed at setting a minimum age limit on initiation ceremonies for female genital mutilation was deleted from the Act on the grounds that it had political and cultural implications. Parliament is encouraged to enact a law banning female genital mutilation, and incorporate the needs of children with disabilities in the draft bill on the rights of persons with disabilities. 11. Notwithstanding the passage of the Child Rights Act, there are still a number of challenges before the full realization of children’s rights. Initiation of young girls into secret societies and female genital mutilation continued unabated. In February, reports received by UNIOSIL indicated that over 600 girls between 2 and 15 years of age were reportedly initiated into the Bondo Society, a female secret society, and subjected to female genital mutilation in Bo District, Southern Province. In Bo District appreciable progress was noted in the area of early and forced marriages, although children as young as 12 continue to be forced into marriages without their consent. Child labour remains a major issue, especially in the mining sector. Enforcement of existing legislation prohibiting child labour coupled with concerted awareness-raising are still necessary. Efforts have to be made to suspend the mining licences of companies that employ children in mining. 12. Some improvement in the enrolment of children in schools, especially the girl child, was noted. The Government’s initiative of providing books, uniforms and school fees for girls up to senior secondary level in some selected districts has contributed to this progress. Nonetheless, many girls continue to drop out of school for various reasons, including pregnancies and early or forced marriages. 13. Trafficking of children remains a major issue. Many people in Sierra Leone still regard child trafficking only as the illegal movement of children across borders. Therefore, children continue to be taken from their families and forced into house help and street vending, among other roles, with impunity. The Government is encouraged to prosecute offenders as a deterrent and to provide protection to victims and witnesses. 14. Progress in the area of juvenile justice is slow. Children routinely appear in Court without legal representation or the presence of probation officers from the Ministry of Social Welfare. The ages of children were altered in a number of cases by the police during investigation so as to have them tried as adults. There are still no remand homes in northern and eastern provinces. As