Dialogue on Child Rights with the parliamentarians of Gandaki Province

Pokhara Jan 12. A Province level dialogue on the policies and programs of Gandaki Province regarding Child protection and Child Rights has been successfully conducted on 9 January, 2020.

Inaugurating the program, the speaker of the parliament of Gandaki Province Netranath Adhikari emphasized the need to sensitize children on their responsibilities, along with their rights. The president of National Child Protection Alliance, Writtu Bhattrai delivered a welcome speech on behalf of all the organizers.

Similarly, the deputy speaker of the parliament Srijana Sharma ensured that Gandaki province is dedicated to endorse required policies and practices for the best interest of the children, focusing on girl’s empowerment. Likewise, the chairperson of Finance and Development committee of the parliament, Deepak Koirala requested all the stakeholders to concentrate for increasing investment on children and the promotion of child friendly local governance.

The head of the Social development Section of Ministry of Social Development, Jamuna Paudel presented the related policies and programs adopted by the province. In the similar manner, Child rights activist, Milan Dharel shared various policies required for the promotion of child rights.

Member of Parliament of Gandaki Province, Omkala Gautam and the representative of National Human Rights Commission, Nitu Gaurtal also shared their remarks on the issue. In total, ten parliamentarians of the province were present.

The program was a joint collaboration of organizations like Swotantrata Abhiyan, Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (JCYCN), Children on Move (DUCOM), National Child Friendly Local Governance (NCFLG) Forum, and National Coalition for Girls Rights (NCGR), Social Protection Civil Society Network (SPCSN) and National Child Protection Alliance (NCPA), Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) and Consortium.

Around 50 participants present in the program by representing various developmental partners shared their views on the issues of child marriage, birth registration, child protection, child labor, social protection of children, adoption and implementation of required acts/policies for children, promotion Child Friendly Local Governance, Girl’s empowerment and so on.

The program was chaired by the president of Swotantrata Abhiyan, Chandrakala Sharma. Tilottam Paudel, president of Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal moderated the entire program.