Article 20 PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Parents or other persons responsible for the child shall have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child and shall have the duty: (a) to ensure that the best interests of the child are their basic concern at all times; (b) to secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, conditions of living necessary to the child’s development; and (c) to ensure that domestic discipline is administered with humanity and in a manner consistent with the inherent dignity of the child. States Parties to the present Charter shall in accordance with their means and national conditions take all appropriate measures; (a) to assist parents and other persons responsible for the child and in case of need provide material assistance and support programmes particularly with regard to nutrition, health, education, clothing and housing; (b) to assist parents and others responsible for the child in the performance of child-rearing and ensure the development of institutions responsible for providing care of children; and (c) to ensure that the children of working parents are provided with care services and facilities . Article 21 2. PROTECTION AGAINST HARMFUL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PRACTICES 1. 18 States Parties to the present Charter shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices affecting the welfare, dignity, normal growth and development of the child and in particular: (a) those customs and practices prejudicial to the health or life of the child; and (b) those customs and practices discriminatory to the child -on the grounds of sex or other status. AFRICAN CHARTER on the Rights and Welfare of the Child