Kathmandu, April 8: Stakeholders have committed to work towards implementation of Palermo Protocol, promotion of Child Friendly Local Government (CLFG), ending child labor and fulfillment of child rights. They made the pledge during the National CSOs’ Dialogue on SDG 8.7 and Child Rights held in Kathmandu with the presence of 300 participants representing various governmental bodies, development partners, Civil Society Organizations, child rights networks, child right activists, human rights defenders, and other relevant stakeholders of all 77 districts of the country.
On the occasion, the participants raised the issue of the prioritization of children with disabilities in education, Nutrition Friendly Local Governance, girl’s empowerment, ending child marriage, online protection, increased capacity building, promotion of CFLG, increasing child grant and child protection mechanism.
Speaking at the two-day event that concluded on Friday, Deputy Speaker of Koshi Province Srijana Danuwar expressed solidarity in all the agendas raised during the event and stressed the importance of joint intervention for the establishment of children as pride of nation. Joint Secretary of Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Yam Lal Bhusal shared that the Ministry has prepared an action plan to segregate roles of various stakeholders, and will work on increasing investment in children.
Likewise, Deepak Jung Karki from National Human Rights Commission said that the implementation of Palermo protocol is being reviewed and emphasized the importance of inter-linkage between all three levels of the governments.Ashok Khanal of the National CFLG Forum described CFLG as the most effective framework for realization of child rights and urged the stakeholders to play their part in creating a child-friendly nation.
Likewise, President of Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal Tilottam Paudel expressed concern over the lack of incorporation of children’s agenda in the common minimum policy, program and budget endorsed by the government. He also urged the participants to lobby for effective implementation of Palermo Protocol, increase in the child nutritional allowance, making the school mid-day meal program effective and promote child sensitive social protection.
It may be noted that the Child Friendly Local Governance or CLFG is the National Framework that incorporates all the agendas of the children, and ensures sustainable promotion of child rights. National CFLG Forum is a national network working on CFLG. Also speaking at the programme, Samana Baral from Swantantrata Abhiyan said that children should be engaged as the stakeholders, rather than target groups for bringing about an end to child labor.
Santaram Dangol from Education Watch Group pointed out lack of specific indicators and criteria for implementation of free and quality education while President of Yuwalaya Santosh Maharjan shared that a National Child Advocacy Council has been formed as a loose network for the meaningful participation of children at all levels.
The Sustainable Development Goals, target 8.7 calls for immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.The program was organized by NGO Federation in collaboration with Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (JCYCN), National CFLG Forum (NCFLGF), Swatantrata Abhiyan, Aasman Nepal, CWIN, Looniva, JVI International and Consortium Nepal
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