CEDAW/C/GC/36 55. The Committee recommends that States parties take the following measures to mitigate the impact of cultural and religious practices on girls’ and women’s access to education: a) protect girls and women from being deprived of their right to education based on patriarchal, religious or cultural norms and practices, in keeping with the Joint CEDAW GR 31/CRC GC 18 on harmful practices; b) facilitate dialogues with religious and traditional leaders on the value of educating girls and the importance of addressing practices and customs that act as barriers to their participation at all levels of education; c) ensure that the minimum age for marriage, with or without parental consent, is set at 18 for girls in keeping with Joint CEDAW GR 31/CRC GC 18; d) integrate FGM into formal and non-formal education, so that the topic is openly discussed without stigma to enable girls and women to receive accurate information on the detrimental and harmful effects of this practice in keeping GR 14 on Female Circumcision; e) train teachers, facilitators and youth workers to equip them to educate girls about FGM and support those at risk of undergoing the procedure or have already undergone the procedure; f) encourage religious and community leaders to oppose the practice of FGM as well as inform and educate their communities on the dangers of FGM; g) formulate re-entry and inclusive education policies enabling pregnant girls, young mothers and married girls under 18 years of age to remain in or return to school without delay and ensure that such policies are disseminated to all educational establishments and administrators, as well as among parents and communities; h) address practices that may hinder accessibility to education such as involving girls in unpaid labour in the home; i) ensure that all children, particularly girls, under the minimum age for employment are in full-time education, and including where appropriate and consistent with relevant international labour standards, in vocational or technical education. H. Rights within education 56. Girls’ and women’s rights within education relate to the A of acceptability.12Acceptability addresses issues of form (treatment) and substance (quality) of education which apply to the school setting as well as educational content and method. These rights require governmental provision of funds, necessary infrastructure, support and supplies for students and teachers. It also requires equal access of girls to the same quality education as boys in terms of teacher quality, quality of amenities and an environment marked by girls and women having opportunities to pursue goals towards self-determination and selfactualisation.. Rights within education, therefore, must encompass respect and promotion of girls’ and women’s human rights throughout the education cycle. 57. The lack of respect and dignity that girls and women experience in educational institutions depends on the gender regime of schools which reflects the wider social order. Such an environment is often marked by entrenched patriarchal ideologies, practices and structures that shape the daily experience of teachers and students. Girls are thereby exposed to this environment, which can be physically, emotionally and sexually abusive for as many as ten years, resulting in the denial of their rights within the education arena. Various issues need to be addressed to ensure that girls and women, including female staff, can enjoy equal treatment and opportunity. 12 See para.14 supra. 13