Child Welfare
NEPAL’s ratification of United Nations Convention on Child Rights
coincided with the advent of democracy in Nepal itself. By endorsing the convention in
November 1990. Nepal gave its solemn pledge to care for its children and protect them from
all kinds of discrimination. The CRC articulates different rights the children have. It
mentions the state’s responsibility towards the right to life and the longevity and
development of children, the right to express their views on any matter that affects
children, freedom of expression without violating others’ freedom of expression etc.
The signing of the convention is celebrated every year. On Sunday, the tenth anniversary
of the signing, saw much discussions among government officials and child rights and
welfare advocates on the issues confronting this field. The consensus was that there have
been some achievements on the children’s front since 1990, but they are far from
enough. True, implementation of Children’s act 2048 B.S. and the Children’s
Regulations-2051 B.S., initiation of policy and programmes in the interest of children as
per the suggestions of a task force in 2053 B.S., establishment of a child reform centre,
the start by HMG of four children’s welfare centres one each in Biratnagar, Birgunj,
Butwal and Parsa as child welfare homes are, among others, some laudable steps taken to
give a better life to children. Also significantly, the formation of 75 district child
welfare committees and making arrangement for district child welfare officers as well as
introduction of juvenile benches in the 75 district courts are potentially far reaching
administrative and judicial moves that could decentralise the child welfare efforts in a
true sense. However, a mere expansion of child welfare centres is not an answer to the
gigantic problems prevalent. For instance, Nepal continues to have about 2.6 million child
workers aged between 5-14 out of which 1.7 million work full time. There are hundreds of
NGOs working to uphold their cause. Despite all this, why hasn’t child welfare made
great strides? The government must take stock of the situation and make child welfare a
part and parcel in the planning process of all relevant development schemes. Only then
could concern for the children internalised in different processes at different levels of
developments works.
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