Investing In Children
PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba reiterated the commitment of His
Majesty’s Government to do everything possible for the overall improvement of
children in Nepal and materialise child rights enshrined in different international
instruments. Speaking at a function organised by Save the Children US to release the
global report on the health condition of newly born infants in Kathmandu the other day,
Prime Minister Deuba said that as children shape the future of the nation, their proper
upbringing is the prime responsibility of the present generation in order to ensure better
and brighter future of the society and the country. The Prime Minister has rightly said
that the investment in children today is the investment for the development of the nation
and the society. If children are not well brought up and educated, the country cannot
expect a prosperous future. Thus, it is imperative to invest more in health, education and
other areas that help all round growth and development of children. Nepal has expressed
its commitment both at national as well as international level for the development of
children and protect and promote the rights and welfare of children. It has enacted and
implemented several laws concerning protection and promotion of the rights of children. As
such, His Majesty’s Government has accorded high priority to the welfare and
development of children. Several national and international non-governmental organisations
and donors too have been supporting Nepal’s efforts to ensuring rights and
development of children. As a result, there have been some changes and improvements in the
condition and status of children in Nepal. However, Nepal is still one of those countries
where status of children in terms of health, education and growth and development is
poorest and lowest in the world. More than 50 per cent children in Nepal are deprived of
education and other opportunities enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, although the government provides free education in schools. Even those who enrol in
grade one drop out before completing grade three. The statistics show that there are
estimated 2.6 million child workers, which is almost 40 per cent of the total population
of children in Nepal. The report on the health condition of the newly born infants has
painted a bleaker picture of Nepalese children. It shows that infant mortality in Nepal is
relatively high, which continues to worry those working in the field of child health.
Thus, it is imperative for all to work together for the improvement of health of infants
in order to ensure better future of our country.
Other Story
|
