KATHMANDU, Nov 20: Among all forms of violence prevalent against children, child marriage is considered to be the most serious offence and is also highly difficult to tackle. Although the government of Nepal has adopted a national strategy to lower child marriage and end the practice by 2030, the country still has a long way to go forward.
Embracing the motto that child rights is everyone's concern, stakeholders came together in 'Awasar Child Interactions' organized in six districts of Nepal. It was jointly organized by Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) and Good Neighbors International in the six districts including Kathmandu, Parbat, Kaski, Humla, Doti and Darchula on Monday.
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In the interaction in Kathmandu, an 18-point declaration was made to promote and secure child's rights to health, education, protection and participation. Concerned actors like police, local representatives, parents, law experts, rights activists, children and intellects took part in the interactions.
The interactions sought attention of all levels of the government, national and international communities and civil societies, urging them to be accountable and responsible for securing and promoting child rights.
The stakeholders sought for effective implementation of policies against child marriage, legal remedy and justice in case of violence against children, dedicated budgets at every local unit to fight child marriage as well as child-friendly local government and making security bodies more accountable to fight violence against children.
Likewise, the declaration also sought effective arrangement for addressing complaints of children at school, positive activism of parents against child marriage, mechanism to immediately address child marriage cases in court, investment to develop children's leadership skills and management of children's clubs.
Furthermore, they also sought compulsory heath checkup for children in every three months, education for children with disabilities and end of child labor and all types of discrimination against children (such as caste-based discrimination and Chhaupadi tradition).
