CRC/C/BOL/CO/4
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Data collection
19.
The Committee notes efforts made to further improve data collection mechanisms as
demonstrated by recent surveys on children in school. Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned
at the lack of a comprehensive system of data collection and analysis and at inadequate data on
specific groups of children, particularly indigenous children, children with disabilities, children
out of school, working children, children in emergency situations and other children in need of
special protection.
20.
The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to develop a
comprehensive system of data collection on the implementation of the Convention. The
data should respect the age definition of childhood set at below 18 years and be
disaggregated by sex, age, ethnicity and other relevant characteristics of children and their
life situations.
Dissemination, training and awareness-raising
21.
The Committee is concerned at the lack of a national strategy to promote the rights of the
child, and reiterates its concern about the low level of awareness of the Convention among
professionals working with and for children, including the role of the media, and among the
general public, especially among children themselves.
22.
The Committee recommends the reinforcement of systematic training of all
professional categories working for and with children, including teachers, police, lawyers,
judges, health personnel, the media, social workers and personnel of childcare institutions
and judicial facilities, and also the inclusion of the Convention in the school curriculum at
all levels.
23.
The Committee recommends that the media, both private and public, should treat
children with respect, disseminate the rights of the child taking into account the cultural
diversity and include in its programmes the expressions and points of view of children. The
Committee further recommends that the State party encourage the media sector to
establish professional codes of ethics, taking into account the rights of the child.
Cooperation with civil society
24.
The Committee takes note with appreciation of the importance that the State party gives
to the participation of civil society. However, it is concerned at the lack of a strategy to ensure
civil society participation in relation to the rights of the child, and it regrets that the State party’s
report was not prepared on the basis of a wide consultation with organizations that contribute to
the implementation of the Convention, as well as the children themselves.
25.
The Committee recommends that the State party systematically involve
communities and civil society, as well as multisectoral institutions which have been created
(the National Council and the departmental and municipal Commissions) and children’s
organizations in all aspects of elaboration of policies, plans, laws and regulations in the