Where are the Children?
In the last two years of nation's political transitional period, the country witnessed several political demonstrations with demands, but children's concerns were not mentioned. School and educational institutions were also disrupted several times by political activities.
By J. B Oli
Finally, it seems sure that people of Nepal will have the historic opportunity to vote for the Constitutional Assembly in elections scheduled for April 10. This is one of the most significant moments for the nation and its people.
Parties are making all possible efforts to win the hearts and minds of the people. All issues, problems and concerns are raised and solutions are also envisioned in political parties’ manifestos and the writings and public speeches of their leaders. There are offers and ideas to address the problems of women, Dalits, the poor and the marginalized, and ethnic and religious minorities. Every effort to influence is applied.
The people are finally at the centre of attention, and everyone is feeling empowered. Even the most deprived can use their vote as a powerful tool to show those in power what they want for the future of their country. This is good for democracy, peace, progress and stability. It is also a way to secure freedom and justice for Nepal’s citizens.
But in this excitement and enthusiasm, a section of the country's population had been ignored. Search hard, and one segment of the country will remain unmentioned in those statements, manifestos, election campaigns and rallies. The segment that has not had any role to play in this historic event is the millions of children in Nepal.
Huge numbers of children remain behind the scenes. They are uneducated and malnourished. Around 40 of every 1000 children die in the womb because of disease and lack of medical services or proper nutrition for their mothers. About 56 out of 1000 children do not live to see their first birthday. Over 250 million children work in extremely hazardous conditions, and over 25% of Nepalese children are economically active. These figures do not include those who work in homes, fields, factories, brick making and carpet industries or hotels without remuneration. Children migrate to India for a better life, and unknown numbers have been trafficked and sold. During the decade-long conflict, children were the most affected by violence, road blocks, school shut downs and institutional dysfunction. No matter what area of life, official figures are unable to capture the true picture of the nation’s children.
Despite these hard conditions, children have been used to campaign for political parties, putting their lives at risk. Political parties, individuals and institutions have also used children or children’s issues to mobilise the population or gain their own ends.
Yet suddenly, children are no longer important when a decisive event is taking place in the country. In the last two years of nation's political transitional period, the country witnessed several political demonstrations with demands, but children's concerns were not mentioned. School and educational institutions were also disrupted several times by political activities.
For example, does any political party have a plan to regulate private education? The conflict period saw small children’s migration form villages to town for better education in so-called English medium schools. Their right to family life was violated by their own demanding parents. The last two years of transitional phase have produced mushrooming of private schools in cities, towns, and villages. Thousands of these schools and institutions operate without maintaining any set standards. Any government coming into power after the April election will have a tough time when sorting out the policies and regulations by which these schools operate, but if the state continues to let these schools run as unregulated monopolies, it will have shirked its responsibility and accountability for education for all children. What plan do politicians have to be responsible towards the children of their constituents?
Children deserve a better place in New Nepal that will emerge after the CA election. First, they deserve commitments from political parties and leadership to address their issues as priorities. Second, they deserve the assurance of their right to survive, to be protected, to develop in a free and fearless environment and to participate in decision-making processes on issues affecting their lives. Unfortunately manifestoes and political parties have failed to make such commitments and assurance. Finally, children deserve not only some attention but prime attention from the political forces coming in power. After all, the New Nepal is their homeland too.
(The writer currently works in an Indian child rights advocacy organisation in New Delhi. He can be reached at: jboli007@gmail.com)
(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to editors@mos.com.np)
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