CRC/C/15/Add.122 page 7 4. Civil rights and freedoms Birth registration 20. The Committee notes that the Births and Deaths Act provides for the registration of all children at birth and that recent initiatives have been undertaken to improve and facilitate the process of birth registration, particularly in rural areas. However, the Committee is concerned that many children are still not registered. In light of articles 7 and 8 of the Convention, the Committee encourages the State party to continue its efforts through, inter alia, mobile clinics and hospitals, to ensure that birth registration is made accessible to all parents within the State party. The Committee also recommends that efforts be made to raise awareness among government officers, community leaders and parents to ensure that all children are registered at birth. Torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 21. While recognizing the efforts of the State party to train the police on the treatment of detainees and the non-use of unnecessary force, the Committee is concerned about the high incidence of police brutality and the inadequate enforcement of existing legislation to ensure that children are treated with respect for their physical and mental integrity and their inherent dignity. The Committee recommends that all appropriate measures be taken to fully implement the provisions of articles 37 (a) and 39 of the Convention. In this regard, the Committee further recommends that greater efforts be made to prevent police brutality and ensure that child victims are provided adequate treatment to facilitate their physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration and that perpetrators are sanctioned. 5. Family environment and alternative care Parental guidance 22. The Committee notes with concern the increasing number of single-parent and child-headed families and the impact (both financial and psychological) on children. The insufficient support and counsel in the areas of parental guidance and responsibilities are also matters of concern. The State party is encouraged to increase its efforts in developing family education and awareness through, inter alia, providing support, including training for parents, especially single parents, in parental guidance and joint parental responsibilities, in light of article 18 of the Convention. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to reduce and prevent the increasing number of child-headed households and to introduce adequate support mechanisms for existing child-headed families. The Committee further recommends that the State party undertake a study on the situation of single parent, polygamous and child-headed families with a view to assessing the impact on children. Maintenance 23. While the Committee notes that legislation has been enacted to provide for the recovery of maintenance for the child, it is concerned that insufficient measures have been taken to ensure