National Validation Workshop on Child-led Universal Period Review (UPR) successfully held

The National Validation Workshop on child-led UPR was organized successfully on 23-24 February, 2020 at Kathmandu in the joint collaboration of Consortium Nepal ,National Child Friendly Local Governance (NCFLG) Forum, National Coalition for Girl’s Right, CZOP, AATWIN, NCE Nepal, NAOS, Education Watch, Inclusive Education Forum, C-Net, DUCOM, CRC Committee, HRTMCC, NCPA, Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal and the partnership of UNICEF, SOS Children’s Village, World Vision International Nepal, Child Fund Japan, Tdh Germany, Save the Children International Nepal, Action Aid and Ecpat Nepal.

The workshop was initiated with the inaugural session, chaired by Chairperson of Consortium Nepal Mr. Kiran Thapa, and hosted by Mr. Mohan Dangal, Vice-President of Consortium Nepal. Honorable Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizen Mr. Parbat Gurung was invited as the chief guest.

Mr. Krishna Subedi, child rights activists provided welcome remarks in the ceremony. A process presentation on Child Led UPR Report was provided by General Secretary of Consortium Nepal Mr. Santosh Maharjan. Likewise, Mr. Murari Kharel from NHRC, child representatives Mr. Tol Magar (also the member of Jagriti Child Club, the first registered child club of Nepal) and Ms. Niruta Timalsina, NACG Chair Mr. Krishna Chandra Acharya and Hon.

Sashi Shrestha, Chair of the State and Good Governance Committee also provided their remarks and commitment for ensuring child rights and participation. Similarly, Honorable Minister Mr. Gurung shared his good wishes along with commitment for joint collaboration for intervention for the best interest of children.

The main session of the National validation workshop on Child led UPR began with orientations on CRC, UPR and Child Led Report. Afterwards, children worked in four different groups according to four pillars of child rights, namely; right to survival, right to protection, right to development and right to participation. The issues like child marriage, social protection, child labor, Child Friendly Local Governance, lack of adolescent friendly structures, girls protection and empowerment, service gaps for physically challenged, gender disparity, lack of meaningful child participation and so on were raised by the participating children.

At the end, the closing ceremony was conducted with the presence of Honorable Member of NHRC Mr. Sudip Pathak as chief guest. The closing session formally started with palm print of the chief guest in a white sheet of cloth followed by the palm print of guest and participants. Afterwards, the sharing of the findings of the national validation workshop was done by children in child friendly ways like drama, poem, wall magazine, letter to Prime Minister etc.

The coordinator of National Child Friendly Local Governance Forum and National Coalition for Girl’s Rights, Mr. Tilottam Paudel and a representative from AATWIN shared their valuable remarks in the program.

The representatives of World Vision International Nepal and other developmental agencies were also present in the closing session. The chief guest motivated the participating children with his encouraging speech and commitments. The program ended with the closing remarks from Mr. Kiran Thapa, Chairperson of Consortium Nepal. There was a presence of 115 children and stakeholders of children presenting all seven provinces of the country.