E/C.12/BFA/CO/1 to justice and receiving the necessary support. It notes with regret that, despite the efforts undertaken, the practice of female genital mutilation persists in the State party, particularly in rural areas. The Committee is also concerned by the fact that Act No. 61-2015/CNT on the prevention, punishment and reparation of violence against women and girls and care for victims does not penalize the act of rape between spouses. In this connection, it regrets that article 14 (2) of the Act imposes fines “in cases where the rape is committed repetitively against an intimate partner with whom the perpetrator entertains stable and continued sexual relations or where the said partner is physically unable for any reason to perform a sexual act” (arts. 3 and 10). 28. The Committee invites the State party: (a) To revise its legislation on the prevention, punishment and reparation of violence against women and girls and support for victims, in order to punish all acts of rape between spouses without exception; (b) To guarantee access to justice for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and violence against older women accused of witchcraft, by encouraging the reporting of such offences and ensuring that perpetrators are prosecuted and convicted; (c) To redouble its efforts to combat female genital mutilation by such means as acting on the findings of studies, corroborated by empirical data, on the root causes of this practice and conducting regular awareness-raising campaigns against it; (d) To guarantee access for victims to adequate recovery, counselling and rehabilitation services and to take steps to raise awareness among law enforcement officials and the general public on the need to eliminate all forms of violence against women. 29. The Committee draws attention in this connection to its general comment No. 22 (2016) on the right to sexual and reproductive health. Economic exploitation of children 30. The Committee is concerned at the large number of children who are economically exploited in the agricultural sector and in domestic work, often in dangerous conditions, particularly in the artisanal mining sectors. It is also concerned at the fact that the poverty of families in rural areas and limited access to education increase the risk of the economic exploitation of children (art. 10). 31. The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary steps to combat the economic exploitation of children and ensure that the provisions of the Labour Code prohibiting the worst forms of child labour are applied effectively, in particular by making inspections more stringent, conducting investigations, prosecuting and sanctioning those responsible and providing victims with rehabilitation and assistance. It also recommends that the State party conduct awareness-raising campaigns concerning its legislation on child labour, particularly in mining areas and agricultural areas, as well as in towns where children are often employed in domestic work. It recommends that it take steps to support poor families in order to allow their children to enjoy the right to education. Poverty 32. The Committee is concerned that, despite the implementation of poverty reduction measures, a significant proportion of the population is not able to enjoy an adequate standard of living and that poverty remains widespread in the State party, where over 25 per cent suffer from extreme poverty. The Committee notes that poverty rates are highest 6 GE.16-11935