Kathmandu:  Save the Children together with the Consortium of Organizations for Child Participation (Consortium Nepal) organized a national-level workshop to review the progress on the implementation of the 15th Five-Year National Plan (FY 2019/20-2023/24), in relation to child rights.

The workshop, held on July 10, 2023, also aimed to identify future priorities for child rights in the upcoming 16th Five-Year National Plan (FY 2024/25-2028/29). At the event, child representatives submitted a memorandum to the NPC, highlighting key child rights issues and suggesting their possible solutions.

In the letter to NPC, the children have urged to ensure local school curriculums that address children’s unique needs, introduce special programs to increase access to quality education for children with disabilities, dropouts, and those needing special protection, and establish and strengthen local, provincial, and national child protection systems to prevent child violence, abuse, and exploitation.

They have also called on NPC to ensure nutritious food for children, eliminate gender discrimination, conduct sexual and reproductive health education and life skills sessions, implement the concept of child-friendly local governance in all local levels, and allocate sufficient budget for protection and promotion of child rights at all three government levels, among other things. 

After receiving the memorandum, Dr. Anita Shah, an NPC member, who was the chief guest of the event, expressed commitment to address concerns raised by the children. It was the first time that children got engaged in discussion with, and presented their concerns and priorities, directly to NPC.

Dr. Kiran Rupakheti, a Joint Secretary at the National Planning Commission (NPC), highlighted the progress made so far in addressing children's issues through the 15th Five-Year National Plan.