E/C.12/1/Add.57 page 4 growing and gold-mining, on the environment, thereby putting at risk the health and lives of workers and those living in the vicinity of the affected areas. In this regard, the Committee is also concerned that environmental impact studies conducted by or on behalf of those sectors are without effective review by independent bodies. 25. The Committee deeply regrets the lack of measures by the State party to address effectively the problem of excessive deforestation, which negatively affects the habitat of indigenous populations. 26. The Committee is concerned about the insufficiency of medical services, especially in rural areas, and the difficulties experienced by people in gaining access to health care institutions. The Committee also expresses its deep concern about the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in the State party, which is among the highest in the region, and the inadequate information provided by the State party on the measures it has taken with regard to the provision of essential drugs. 27. The Committee also expresses its concern about the problems encountered by the State party in its efforts to implement its reproductive health policy, including the distribution and use of condoms, as a result of resistance by certain religious institutions, and the fact that educational programmes often only target women. In this regard, the Committee is also concerned about the high rate of teenage pregnancy and that those girls are deprived of the opportunity to continue their education. 28. The Committee regrets the high rate of illiteracy of 19.5 per cent recognized by the State party’s delegation. 29. The Committee expresses its concern about the limited possibilities for indigenous peoples to be educated and to have access to the judicial system in their native languages. E. Suggestions and recommendations 30. The Committee strongly urges the State party to ensure that the Covenant is taken into account in the formulation and implementation of all policies concerning economic, social and cultural rights. 31. The Committee recommends that the State party improve human rights training programmes in such a way as to ensure better knowledge, awareness and application of the Covenant and other international human rights instruments, in particular among the judiciary, law enforcement officials and other actors responsible for the implementation of the Covenant. 32. The Committee urges the State party to implement existing legislation more vigorously and to incorporate a gender perspective in legislation, with a view to ensuring greater equality of men and women, especially in the areas of employment, labour conditions, and representation in public services and administration.