E/C.12/GMB/CO/1 Non-discrimination 12. The Committee expresses its concern about the absence of an anti-discrimination law which encompasses all grounds of discrimination prohibited under the Covenant. The Committee is also concerned at the criminalization of homosexuality in the State party’s Criminal Code, as well as about reports of arbitrary arrest and detention of individuals perceived to be homosexual (art. 2, para. 2). The Committee recommends that the State party adopt comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation in line with article 2, paragraph 2, of the Covenant, taking into account the Committee’s general comment No. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights. It also recommends that the State party repeal or amend all legislation that results or could result in discrimination, prosecution and punishment of people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Committee further recommends that the State party take all the necessary steps to combat and prevent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, and ensure their enjoyment of all the rights enshrined in the Covenant. Equality between women and men 13. While noting that non-discrimination against women is accorded national priority in the State party, the Committee is concerned that discrimination against women persists in all areas. The Committee is particularly concerned that women’s participation in the public sphere has not increased despite the gender equality legislation and programmes adopted by the State party. It is also concerned about the remaining discriminatory provisions in the State party’s legal system, including the personal status laws (art. 3). The Committee calls upon the State party to intensify its efforts, including through the media, the launching of awareness-raising campaigns and the use of temporary special measures, so that equality between men and women is attained in law and in practice. In this respect the Committee recommends that the State party effectively implement the Women’s Act 2010 and report in its next periodic report on progress achieved thereon. The Committee also urges the State party to abolish laws and customs which discriminate against women, particularly in marital matters, and ensure the consistency of personal status laws with the relevant human rights standards under the Covenant and other international instruments. Harmful practices 14. The Committee is concerned about the absence of a provision criminalizing female genital mutilation in the State party’s domestic legislation, and about the persistence of harmful practices, including polygamy, child marriage and domestic violence (arts. 2, para. 2, and 3). The Committee urges the State party to introduce a legal provision criminalizing female genital mutilation and ensure its strict implementation. The State party should also intensify its efforts to prevent and combat all practices that are harmful to women and girls, including polygamy and domestic violence. It is further called upon to introduce in its legislation a harmonized minimum age of marriage for girls and boys that is in line with international standards. Unemployment 15. Despite the limited information available, the Committee expresses its concern about the reported high unemployment rate disproportionately affecting women and youth (art. 6). 4