E/C.12/UGA/CO/1 culture of equality between women and men that creates the conditions necessary for the adoption of a legal provision criminalizing polygamy; (b) Raise awareness of the age at which it is legal to enter into marriage, ensure strict adherence to the constitutional provision on the minimum age for marriage and that all laws, including customary laws, are in compliance, and adopt and implement the action plan on early marriage, as indicated during the dialogue; (c) Ensure effective implementation of the prohibition of female genital mutilation, prevent and investigate such incidents, bring perpetrators to justice and rehabilitate victims; (d) Conduct widespread educational campaigns on the adverse effects of early and forced marriage as well as female genital mutilation. Protection of children 27. The Committee is concerned about the large number of children aged 6–13 years engaged in labour activity in the State party. The Committee also expresses its concern at the increasing number of street children and about the widespread violence against children, including corporal punishment at schools, at home and in care institutions. The Committee is further concerned that about 5 million children under the age of 5 are not registered (art. 10). The State party recommends that the State party effectively implement the National Plan of Action on Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour and monitor instances of child labour in order to ensure its gradual eradication, in accordance with the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182). The State party should also consider adopting a comprehensive plan on protection of children, provide measures to assist street children and children in care institutions, and prohibit corporal punishment. The Committee requests that the State party increase its efforts in ensuring universal birth registration, inter alia by revising the Birth and Death Registration Act as necessary. It should also raise awareness among parents about the importance of birth registration, including as a means to prevent early marriage and child labour, particularly in rural areas. Poverty 28. While appreciating that poverty has declined in recent years, the Committee notes with concern the high incidence of poverty in rural areas, northern Uganda and the Karamoja subregion, and among persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and older persons. The Committee is also concerned about the inadequate implementation of povertyreduction policies (art. 11). Recalling its statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2001), the Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to combat poverty and improve the standard of living of all Ugandans. It should pursue and strengthen measures to alleviate poverty in regions that are more vulnerable to poverty, paying particular attention to persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and older persons. Moreover, the State party is encouraged to ensure that all policies aimed at poverty reduction, including the National Development Plan, are adequately resourced and effectively implemented with a human rights-based approach and in collaboration with social partners. 9