A/HRC/9/15 page 12 30. In relation to international adoptions, the existing legislation is outdated, and although information was received that draft legislation which seeks to incorporate international standards is being considered, it is important that a moratorium on adoptions be maintained until revised legislation and guidelines which conform to international standards are in force. 31. Another aspect of the lack of protection for children relates to the protection of school girls. There is no provision on sexual abuse in the Education Law of Liberia and recent cases of approximately 30 teenage pregnancies in one school highlight the need to address this aspect of child protection as a matter of urgency. C. Harmful traditional practices 32. Harmful and discriminatory traditional and customary practices such as trial by ordeal, female genital mutilation, and early child marriage continue to exist. The recent initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to hold consultations with traditional leaders of the 15 counties on the challenges of eliminating harmful traditional practices and to seek to harmonize the beliefs and values of the traditional system with international and regional human rights framework is welcome. There is a great need for continual awareness raising and particularly to emphasize the negative health implications for women and girls, and the community as a whole. D. Civil society 33. The independent expert was encouraged by the role of civil society in initiating the freedom of information bill which was passed by Parliament in July 2008. An active civil society is a vital element in an effective human rights protection system. No reforms will be successful and lead to real change without the support and input of this sector. 34. The independent expert was encouraged to see the coordinated manner in which the amendments to the enabling legislation for the independent national human rights institution were examined and commented upon by civil society, representatives of which then attended the committee hearings at the Senate to make their views known and advocate for change. This should be replicated in all areas relating to strengthening promotion and protection of human rights and significant capacity-building is needed. The international community has an important role to play and to truly build participation by groups working on human rights, justice, women’s rights, children’s rights, the rights of the disabled and of the mentally ill, means that they must be involved in planning, research, and developing strategies and budgets. 35. It is essential and critical to the sustainability of projects and programmes that civil society organizations also be involved in mechanisms for the evaluation of reforms and in seeking accountability in cases of non-performance or misbehaviour. Labour law reform and advocating for improvement in workers’ conditions are issues on which these groups could have a strong impact.