A/HRC/7/67 page 15 61. The number of pregnant school-age girls has been increasing in Liberia, partly due to rape and/or unwanted pregnancies. These girls often face difficulties in continuing their education. To address the issue, the Minister for Education has agreed to consider the possibility of opening schools for pregnant girls to ensure that they are given equal access to education. F. Distribution of resources and services 62. The economy is characterized by its dualism; the export-oriented plantation and minerals sectors (rubber, palm oil, timber and diamonds) attract private and public investments, generating growth and wealth, while traditional agriculture has received little investment and remains stagnant. Economic and social infrastructure, such as roads, schools and hospitals, are geographically concentrated in urban and coastal zones, while rural areas are poorly served. The concentration of economic power and resources overlaps with the concentration of political power, which is in the hands of the Americo-Liberian elite. Since there is no middle class in post-conflict Liberia, there is a huge gap separating the upper class (Americo-Liberians) from the rest of Liberian society that constitutes the lower class. Because of the limited economic resources, there is competition among people for the distribution of national wealth and the geographical spread of national infrastructure; the most economically and politically powerful have access to and control of economic resources. 63. Indicators on access to health-care services, schools and infrastructures demonstrate a wide disparity between the rural and urban areas (see section V above). VI. WORKSHOP TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS 64. A workshop was conducted by UNMIL and the Committee on the Independent National Commission on Human Rights on 27 September 2007. Discussion at the workshop focused on ways to promote and protect human rights in the context of persisting harmful traditional practices. 65. Though article 5 (b) of the Liberian Constitution states that “the Republic shall preserve, protect and promote positive Liberian culture, ensuring that traditional values which are compatible with public policy and national progress are adopted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the Liberian society”, many harmful traditional practices are still widespread in the country, such as trial by ordeal, early marriage of girls, female genital mutilation and compulsory dowries. 66. Workshop participants agreed that the Government’s decision to abolish harmful traditional practices should be coordinated with different stakeholders. In the meantime, it is necessary to organize campaigns to raise the awareness of the population on the impact of harmful practices on the implementation of human rights. Participants also concurred that the rules and regulations governing the hinterland of Liberia should be either abolished or revised to bring them into line with the international human rights treaties that the Government has ratified. To do that, the main responsibility will be in the hands of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission is vital to the monitoring