CRC/C/ECU/CO/4 the national average, and the fact that chronic malnutrition among indigenous children is more than double that of mestizo children and that indigenous women and girls are victim to discrimination and assassination, as expressed by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 35. The Committee urges the State party to ensure practical application of the constitutional and legal provisions that outlaw gender, ethnic and any other form of discrimination and to guarantee special protection measures in favour of indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian children. The Committee further reminds the State party that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women recommended in 2008 that special measures be taken for the protection of the rights of indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian women and girls (CEDAW/C/ECU/CO/7). The Committee would also like to draw the State party’s attention to the principles of the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, as well as the outcome document adopted at the 2009 Durban Review Conference. Best interests of the child 36. While welcoming that the principle of the best interests of the child is incorporated in the Constitution and the Code on Children and Adolescents, the Committee is concerned at the lack of information on how this principle is implemented in practice. It is concerned that this principle may not be taken into account in all decisions, administrative and judicial procedures and programmes concerning children, such as children deprived of their liberty or of family environment. 37. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the implementation in practice of the best interests of the child, by fully incorporating the principle in all programmes, policies, judicial and administrative proceedings, including in the implementation of national action plans and that it undertake a child impact assessment of all proposed laws, policies and budgetary allocations which affect children and the enjoyment of their rights. The right to life, survival and development 38. The Committee is concerned that the child mortality rate in the State party continues to be higher than the regional average. It is also concerned at the prevalence of chronic malnutrition among children. 39. The Committee recommends that the State party continue and strengthen policies and programmes to address issues related to the right to life, survival and development of children, and continue to pay particular attention to addressing the problems of child mortality and chronic malnutrition. Respect for the views of the child 40. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the National Consultative Council for Children, and that both the Constitution and the Children’s Code guarantee the respect for the views of the child. However, it is still concerned that traditional societal attitudes limit children’s right to be heard in schools, within the family or other settings. It is further concerned about inadequate implementation of children’s right to be heard in judicial and administrative proceedings. 41. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to ensure that children’s views are given due consideration in the family, schools, and relevant administrative and other settings, and that they are duly heard in judicial and administrative proceedings affecting them. In this regard, the Committee would 8