Section 8Sec./Art. 8

Prevention. - The State shall take all feasible measures to prevent the recruitment, re-recruitment, use, displacement of, or grave child rights violations against children involved in armed conflict. It shall take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act. Towards this end, the State shall:

(a) Prioritize childrens issues in the peace program of the government and include children s concerns, specifically the effects of armed, conflicts, in peace negotiations;

(b) Pursue in both formal and nonformal settings the mainstreaming of peace education programs and the promotion of the culture of peace and nonviolence;

(c) Provide educational assistance, whether formal or alternative learning system, that is child and culturally sensitive. Girls should have an equal right to education irrespective of their status as mothers or wives;

(d) Develop and implement training programs and campaign towards promoting a culture of peace and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law in collaboration with civil society organizations;

(e) Provide capacity building on Local Governance and Community Development, and ensure the participation of the Local Councils for the Protection of Children, various organizations, especially of childrens and peoples organizations at the community level. These organizations shall be involved in consultation and decision-making processes and in the development and implementation of programs, projects and activities established for them;

(f) Establish livelihood programs which shall be made available to communities in all affected areas in order to alleviate the living conditions of the people;

(g) Make available basic health services in health facilities in all affected areas. Culturally-sensitive nutrition programs and activities including supplementary feeding shall also be made available. Efforts to support traditional health practices in indigenous peoples area shall also be initiated;

(h) Establish basic facilities and infrastructure needed;

(i) Ensure that child protection mechanisms are present and functional; and

(j) Establish a comprehensive, effective and efficient system for monitoring and reporting and response for violations as provided in Section 9 of this Act.

CHAPTER IV

PROHIBITED ACTS, PENALTIES AND PRESCRIPTION OF CRIME