CRC/C/15/Add.122 page 11 develop youth-friendly counselling, care and rehabilitation facilities for adolescents that would be accessible, without parental consent where this is in the best interests of the child. The Committee recommends the reinforcement of training programmes for youth on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and STDs. These programmes should be based not only on gaining knowledge, but also on the acquisition of competencies and life skills that are essential to the development of youth. The Committee further recommends the full participation of youth in the development of strategies to respond to HIV/AIDS at the national, regional and local levels. Particular emphasis should be placed on changing public attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and identifying strategies to address the continued discrimination experienced by children and adolescents infected with HIV. Children with disabilities 32. The Committee expresses concern regarding the inadequate legal protection, programmes, facilities and services for children with disabilities, particularly mental disabilities. In light of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96) and the Committee’s recommendations adopted at its day of general discussion on children with disabilities (see A/53/41, chap. IV, sect. C), it is recommended that the State party reinforce its early identification programmes to prevent disabilities, establish special education programmes for children with disabilities and further encourage their inclusion in society. The Committee recommends that the State party seek technical cooperation for the training of professional staff working with and for children with disabilities from, inter alia, UNICEF and WHO. Traditional practices 33. The Committee is concerned that male circumcision is carried out, in some instances, in unsafe medical conditions. The Committee is also concerned about the traditional practice of virginity testing which threatens the health, affects the self-esteem, and violates the privacy of girls. The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) and its harmful effects on the health of girls is also an issue of concern for the Committee. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures, including training for practitioners and awareness-raising, to ensure the health of boys and protect against unsafe medical conditions during the practice of male circumcision. The Committee also recommends that the State party undertake a study on virginity testing to assess its physical and psychological impact on girls. In this connection, the Committee further recommends that the State party introduce sensitization and awareness-raising programmes for practitioners and the general public to change traditional attitudes and discourage the practice of virginity testing in light of articles 16 and 24 (3) of the Convention. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to combat and eradicate the practice of FGM and to carry out sensitization programmes for practitioners and the general public to change traditional attitudes and discourage harmful practices. 7. Education, leisure and cultural activities 34. The Committee notes the recent efforts of the State party to improve the situation of education, including the enactment of the Schools Act (1996), the introduction of an integrated