Aayansh comes up with 'Andhyarobhitra Ujjyaalo'

Kathmandu, Feb. 22

Aayansh Gyawali, 12, has come up with a short-story collection, Andhyarobhitra Ujjyaalo.

The book includes 10 stories of various themes such as light of knowledge, friendship, the internet, technology, earthquake and dowry. They are titled as 'Andhyarobhitra Ujjyalo, Bishtulya Mitrata, Himali gaunma Internet, Lapsiko Rukh, Doctor Arya Sharma, Mitratako Dori, Chandrayani ko Ke Galti Thiyo?, Dron Udaune Sapana, Bhukampako Trasdi, and Daijo Biruddha ko Aawaz.

The book was launched recently in Kathmandu during the Second Prarambha Festival–2082, organised by Prarambha World School/College. Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Raju Aryal launched the book on the occasion.

Hailing from Baletaksar of Gulmi, Aayansh is a student of Grade 8 in Prarambha World School in Tarkeshwor. The book is published by his parents, Kamal Prasad Gyawali and Bindu Pokharel, and Rabindra Manandhar has drawn the sketches for the stories.

The author said that he had a thrust in writing stories and poems since his early childhood and would continue with it in the days to come.

According to the school, the book launch aimed to encourage student creativity and literary engagement. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 February 2026.     

11-year-old Avik Gautam launches debut novel

Kathmandu, Feb. 21

Eleven-year-old Avik Gautam, a Grade 5 student of Nisarga Batika School, launched his novel The Wilds and Wonders of Venua Island at a programme in Lalitpur on Saturday.

The event was attended by publishers and authors, including Keshab Parajuli, Director of Bhundipuran Prakashan. Shree Om Shrestha ‘Rodan’, Chairperson of Shrasta Samaj, Pramod Pradhan, former Chairperson of Baal Sahitya Samaj, and journalist Bindesh Dahal. Pradhan and Dahal critically reviewed the book on the occasion.

Nisarga Batika School Principal Chhabi Raman Silwal and child rights activist Krishna Subedi also spoke at the event. Avik's parents, Rabindra Gautam and Sabina Thapa, and grandfather Ram Kumar Thapa were also present at the programme.

According to the publisher, Gautam began writing the book at the age of nine and completed the first draft in June 2025. The publication process was completed this year.

The book presents a fictional story based on an island and a series of events following a discovery. The narrative includes elements of adventure and imagination. Avik said he was interested in writing and planned to continue. He also said he wanted to become a cricketer in the future.

Speakers at the programme discussed children’s reading and writing and the role of schools and families in supporting such activities. The book has been published by Bhundipuran Prakashan and is available through the publisher, selected outlets and the online platform Daraz.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 February 2026.     

Green Home opens first childcare centre in Sudurpaschim

Kathmandu, Feb. 14

At a time when many female workers employed in factories and industries are leaving their jobs, citing their inability to find time to care for their children while industries and factories have also been reluctant to hire women who have young children, an industry in Kailali has found an alternative solution to address both problems.

Dinesh Lamsal, General Secretary of the Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has established a childcare centre, primary treatment facility, and breastfeeding room within the premises of Green Home Pvt. Ltd., which he founded in Lalpur, Godawari-6, Kailali.

The facility was inaugurated at a programme by the Treasurer of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Bharat Raj Acharya on Friday.

Acharya said that this was the first time in Sudurpashchim Province that a childcare centre, primary treatment facility, and breastfeeding room had been established within an industrial structure.

“The biggest challenge for female workers was the obligation to care for their children while working. The industry has now addressed this issue,” he said. “This practice, which has begun with this industry for the first time in Sudurpashchim Province, should be adopted by all industries.”

Built with an investment of around Rs. 1 million, the facility allows female employees with children to care for them at regular intervals. The centre is equipped with essential facilities for nutritious food and play materials for children.

Likewise, Lamsal said the childcare centre was established after experienced female workers began leaving their jobs due to childcare difficulties, with the aim of providing a supportive environment for their children within the workplace.

According to him, the industry currently employs 92 female and 32 male workers. The female workers, who earn around Rs. 20,000 per month on average, have expressed enthusiasm at being able to care for their children at their workplace.

Hari Paudel, Assistant Director of FNCCI, said that the childcare centre would support children’s learning through play.

The industry has created physical infrastructure for the childcare centre, breastfeeding room, and dressing room, while FNCCI provided the necessary internal equipment with financial and technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Nepal.

The facility provides arrangements for children under four years of age to play, learn, and eat, and the industry has stated that a facilitator will also be appointed to support them.

FNCCI Sudurpashchim Vice-President Anil Kumar Bhojaniya and ILO's National Programme Coordinator Tara Kandel said that this initiative launched in Kailali is necessary and should be replicated in industries across the region.  

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 February 2026.    

PM stresses expanding Nepal-China friendship

Kathmandu, July 18

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed the need to expand the longstanding friendship between Nepal and China to future generations. He affirmed that the Government of Nepal would leave no stone unturned to advance the bilateral relations and deepening cooperation between Nepal and China.

Addressing the Nepal–China Cultural Summit 2025 organised by Phoenix Inspiration on the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China in Kathmandu on Friday, Prime Minister Oli said the event carried a powerful message in promoting cultural ties between the two ancient and historically rich nations.

“This summit will help strengthen our mutual friendship for generations to come. It will contribute to the growth of our multidimensional relationship. Relations are not only about exchange; they are also built on mutual sentiment and cultural diversity,” he said.

According to him, the Government of Nepal will spare no effort in enhancing this friendship. True friendship doesn’t require wealth, it grows in accordance with mutual capacity and will be made even broader.

He also said that performances of children from both the countries finely demonstrated the type of relations both the neighbours have, and pointed to the need for such initiatives in the years to come.

During the event, Prime Minister Oli presented awards to individuals in recognition of their contributions.

Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, was honoured with the Youth Empowerment Award; business leaders – former President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kazi Shrestha and President of Confederation of Nepalese Indsutries Birendra Raj Pandey – received the Business Leadership Award; and Anuradha Sharma was recognised with the Excellence in Education Award.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, said that engaging young students in cultural exchange programmes was a good initiative.

"It will further solidify the knowledge and awareness about each other's culture, education and other relevant issues. Frequency of such programmes should be increased," he said.

He also expresses commitment of China to cultural and development initiatives in Nepal and urged the students to get updates with the technological advancement of China and learn them.

Likewise, President of Phoenix Inspiration, Binod Blon, said that there is a need to intensify the people-to-people relations between Nepal and China. He also said that, a team of Nepali students will also present Nepali cultural performances in China next year.

The conference featured 70 students from China and Nepal who performed songs, dances, and poetry reflecting both cultures. Earlier this month, a group of 70 Nepali teachers and students had visited China.

Phoenix Inspiration has been teaching Chinese in schools, dubbing Chinese films into Nepali, and translating literature to enhance cultural understanding.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 July 2025.   

Nepal-China Cultural Conference today

Kathmandu, July 17

Phoenix Inspiration is all set to organise the ‘Nepal-China Cultural Conference 2025’ in Nepal, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to Chairman of the company Binod Blon, the event aims to foster cultural and linguistic exchange, promoting stronger people-to-people ties between the two neighbours.

This is the third such event in Nepal, and will be held on in Kathmandu on Friday. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will inaugurate the event while Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, and National Assembly Member Anjana Shakya will also attend the event.

The conference will feature 70 Chinese students who will perform songs, dances, and poetry reflecting both cultures. Earlier this month, a group of 70 Nepali teachers and students visited China, informed the organiser at a press meet organised in the Capital on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Santosh Kumar Pandey, said that such initiatives will deepen bilateral relations between the two neighbours and highlighted the need for Nepali entrepreneurs to learn Mandarin to strengthen the trade ties.

Phoenix Inspiration has been teaching Chinese in schools, dubbing Chinese films into Nepali, and translating literature to enhance cultural understanding.

Blon also informed that the Nepali film 'Hairaan' has been dubbed in Chinese language. The organisation has created employment opportunities for translators and performers with or without Chinese fluency, he said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 July 2025.   

Nepalis unable to have number of children they desire: UNFPA

 Kathmandu, June 18

Millions of people around the world, including in Nepal, are unable to have the number of children they desire - not due to a lack of interest in parenthood, but because of a growing web of economic and social barriers, the State of World Population (SWP) report by the UNFPA concluded.

The report revealed that one in five people globally expect not to have the number of children they want. The reasons are high living costs, insecure jobs, unaffordable housing and childcare, lack of a supportive partner, limited access to reproductive health care, and broader concerns about global crises like climate change and conflict.

‘The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World,’ launched on Tuesday draws academic research and data from a global UNFPA–YouGov survey covering 14 countries including nations with both high and low fertility rates.

In Nepal, the story mirrors global trends, the UNFPA informed in a statement.

Despite a steady preference for two or more children, people are having fewer children than they desire, especially in more urbanised provinces such as Bagmati and Gandaki. “The average fertility rate in Nepal has declined to two children per woman, a trend that cuts across all social groups-urban and rural, educated and non-educated, high-income and low-income,” read the statement.

Across provinces, the mismatch between desired and actual family size is increasingly evident. This gap is particularly pronounced in areas where employment insecurity, spousal separation due to labour migration, lack of childcare, and housing costs are making parenthood a difficult choice.

“Globally, vast numbers of people are unable to create the families they want,” said Won Young Hong, UNFPA Representative in Nepal.

According to him, in Nepal, some people are prevented from parenthood while others are forced into it. This is not about overpopulation or declining fertility—it is about expanding choices in an enabling environment for young men and women to have the family they envision.

“Paid family leave, affordable reproductive health care, childcare, and supportive partners are not luxuries. They are essential,” said Won.

The report concluded that more than 50 per cent of respondents cited economic issues. including cost of living, housing, and childcare, as barriers to parenthood.

In Nepal, a combination of urbanisation, job insecurity, rising costs, and lack of flexible work policies makes it difficult for young couples to envision a secure future with children.

About 31 per cent of people globally do not get to have their desired number of children, while 12 per cent report having more than desired.

In Nepal, spousal separation due to labour migration and gendered norms around caregiving further complicate fertility choices. “Forty-three per cent of people globally over 50 said they did not achieve their desired family size, which is a striking measure of unmet reproductive goals,” read the report.

In provinces like Bagmati, data show lower-than-desired fertility; in others, such as Madhes, people often report having more children than they had planned—both indicators of limited reproductive agency.

The report identifies gender inequality as a major cross-cutting issue that undermines people’s ability to form the families they want. It’s happening because care responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women, and Nepali fathers often face stigma around taking on caregiving roles, while women risk career setbacks when they become mothers.

Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal, said, “We must shift from anxiety about fertility rates to empowering individual agency. People need economic security, rights-based policies, and freedom of choice, not coercive measures.”

Likewise, Professor Dr. R.P. Bichha, Member of National Planning Commission, said that the situation demands policy frameworks guided by population dynamics. Quality of life and productivity of our young generation must be at the core, not just population numbers.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 June 2025. 

40.5 per cent youth report facing intimate partner violence

 Kathmandu, Dec. 28

Recent research concluded by ChildSafeNet, in collaboration with the South Africa-based Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), has found systemic gaps, including victim-blaming, insufficient survivor-centred approaches and inadequate legal frameworks in terms of online intimate partner violence (IPV).

The research report, 'From Romance to Risks: Online Intimate Partner Violence against Teens and Young People in Nepal’ reported that while both 16–17 and 18–24 age groups were equally at risk, older participants demonstrated a greater ability to recognise and avoid abusive behaviours.

"About 40.5 per cent of study participants reported facing IPV in current or past relationships, and one in four individuals in intimate relationships experienced online IPV," concluded the report. Sunsari district reported the highest prevalence of online IPV at 38 per cent which is driven by rigid gender norms. Meanwhile, shorter relationships (less than six months) showed a higher prevalence of IPV.

Likewise, 11 per cent of participants in relationships reported adult-minor relationships, raising concerns about consent and vulnerabilities. About 46 per cent of those experiencing IPV faced both online and offline abuse, highlighting the interconnected nature of these forms of violence.

The report of the study also mentioned that the LGBTQIA+ community was particularly vulnerable due to reliance on online dating apps to affirm their identities.

The study collected information from 4,501 teens and young people aged 16 to 24 from ten districts across Nepal’s seven provinces. It aimed to uncover the risks, protective practices and systemic gaps related to IPV facilitated by digital platforms, informed the organisers.

The study also made tailored recommendations to the multi-sectoral duty-bearers and stakeholders, urging them to fulfill their roles in protecting teens and young people from online IPV. It calls for a holistic approach, recommending education, awareness campaigns, policy reforms and stronger legal frameworks, along with greater involvement of parents and schools in online safety.

Anil Raghuvanshi, Founder and President of ChildSafeNet said in a programme organised to launch the report, "The internet has become a key communication tool, shaping modern relationships, particularly among teens and young people. The unsafe use of digital technology led to an increase in tech-facilitated IPV, manifested as controlling behaviours, stalking, coercion and emotional abuse."

Likewise, Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director at SVRI highlighted the importance of fostering knowledge and collaboration to end sexual violence against teens and young people, in her video message.

“By broadening the definition of intimate relationships to include same-sex partnerships, live-in relationships and cyber-dating, this study addresses gaps in existing research,” he said.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting children and young people both offline and online, the chief guest of the event, Bam Bahadur Baniya, Vice-Chairperson of the National Child Rights Council (NCRC), said, “The NCRC is committed to working with organisations like ChildSafeNet to safeguard children and young people online. Addressing the issue of online IPV requires collaborative efforts from the government and civil society organisations.”

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 December 2024.   

One in five children in Madhes out of school

Kathmandu, Aug. 14

Out of a 100, about 20 children (up to 17 years of age) in Madhes Province are out of school or college.

A more bizarre fact is that 14 of them have never been to school or college, according to a special report on children from the 2021 Census recently published by the National Statistics Office (NSO). In Madhes, 14 per cent children have never been to school and 5.5 per cent have attended school or college but have dropped out.

This is exceptionally high compared to the national average of 5.4 per cent of the total children never going to the formal educational institutions.

According to the 2021 Census, there are 9.87 million children in Nepal of which 5.11 million are male and 4.75 female. The number of children has gone down by 10.9 per cent from 2011 to 2021, however, the number of girl child has decreased greatly: -12.9 per cent compared to -9.1 per cent in case of male.

There are 29.16 million people in Nepal.  

According to the statistics published by the NSO, more children from the semi-urban areas have been left out of school. While only 2.8 per cent of the rural and 4.3 per cent urban children never went to school, about 8.2 per cent children from the semi-urban areas never attended any school or college. Semi urban bhaneko chai kasto thau ho?

This is a surprising fact for many. Educationist Prof. Dr. Bal Chandra Luintel said that the unstable  state of people in semi-urban areas and their transitory nature might have contributed to this findings.

Likewise, Deputy Chief Statistician of the NSO, Dr. Hem Raj Regmi, said that this could be because of higher population in semi-urban areas which have about 39 per cent population against 28 per cent in  urban and 33 per cent in  rural areas.

Overall literacy rate is also the lowest in the semi-urban areas. These areas have only 91.2 per cent literacy of 5-17 years of children. This is below the national average of 94.1 per cent.

Province wise, Gandaki has the lowest rate of children staying out of school with just 1.1 per cen of the total children never attending  education instituion.  This is followed by Bagmati at 1.8 per cent, Sudurpaschim at 2.6, Karnali at 2.7 per cent, Koshi at 3.1 and Lumbini 3.7 at per cent.

However, the dropout rate is the highese in Lumbini with 6.9 per cent and lowest in Gandaki with 4.4 per cent.

Similarly, literacy rate of 5-17 years children is also the lowest in Madhes Province. It has 85.7 per cent literacy while the Gandaki province has the highest literacy rate – 97.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, the latest statistics showed that approximately 13.5 per cent children (10-17 years) in Nepal have been involved in non-household economic activities.

The number of such children is also high in Madhes Province. About 15 per cent children in this province are involved in income-generating works while 11.6 per cent children of Karnali are involved in non-household work, which is the lowest. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 August 2024.        

Ganapati Vanaspati supports financially for child health

Kathmandu, June 15

Ganapati Vanaspati Pvt. Ltd. has provided a financial support of Rs. 11.11 million to the Kathmandu Institute of Child Health, an institution established in the leadership of renowned heart surgeon Dr. Bhagwan Koirala.

At a programme organised recently, chairman of Lucky Group Satish Kumar More handed over a cheque bearing the amount to Dr. Koirala.

Ganapati Vanaspati is a subsidiary of Lucky Group, established by late Muralidhar Agrawal which runs various businesses in Nepal including banking, insurance, infrastructure development and industries.

More said that the company is in operation for the last two and a half decades and has contributed to the economy. Vice chairmen of the group Shrawan Kumar More and Raj Kumar More and other officials were also present at the cheque handover programme. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 June 2022.  

Save the Children provides 1743 PPEs

Kathmandu, May 3

Save the Children in Nepal has given over 1,743 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and essential health commodities to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to support the government in its fight against COVID-19.

Speaking after receiving the items, Health Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal said that the assistance provided by Save the Children would help the government strengthen health services, and support health practitioners to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The PPE sets are aligned with the WHO and the Nepal government’s standards.

“Our priority is to support the government in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring that we reach the most marginalised populations, especially vulnerable children,” stated, Bandana Risal, Interim Country Director of Save the Children Nepal.

Save the Children through its regular and Global Fund funded project has been aiding the federal, provincial and local government with critically required COVID-19 medical and non-medical supplies, it said in a statement.

According to the agency, it is also in the process of procuring an additional 2,000 PPE kits. 

Along with this, Save the Children in collaboration with the National Health Education Information Communications Centre (NHEICC) has been developing and disseminating general and child-friendly COVID-19 messaging through national and local radio stations.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 May 2020. 

‘Pawankali’ to talk with kids about KOVID-19

Kathmandu, Apr 24

Famous television host ‘Pawankali’ - Loonibha Tuladhar – intends to interact with children on her show.

Save the Children, along with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), National Health Education Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC) have collaborated with the popular comedy show, to develop web and radio-based contents for children and general audiences on COVID-19.

The ‘Pawankali’ show will be aired from 26th April 2020 every Sunday at 7:15 to 7:30 AM from all community FM stations in Nepal through the Community Information Network (CIN), as well as YouTube, and other social media channels.

“Understanding the need for child-friendly content in popular media, Save the Children is collaborating with the ‘Pawankali’ show to communicate with children, as well as the general audiences on the ongoing COVID-19 situation,” shared Bandana Risal, the Interim Country Director of Save the Children.

According to Risal, the format of the comedy has the potential to subtly educate, make aware, and inform children, and the general audiences on COVID-19 issues, and also trigger behaviour change actions, which in turn will inspire audiences to embrace positive behaviour to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The show is being hosted by the popular theatre artist and actor, Loonibha Tuladhar. In line with social distancing guidelines the show will be filmed/recorded remotely, ensuring all cast, crew and participants are kept safe. 

The web and radio content of the ‘Pawankali’ show will discuss issues of rumour management, mental health, violence against children, education through localized comedy skits, and interviews with technical experts, celebrities, and children from different parts of the country.

“We recognize the power of media to educate people on critical information related to COVID-19. Evidence-based information relayed through the web and radio contents of the ‘Pawankali’ show will help the government to tackle misinformation and infodemic related to COVID-19,” said, Kunja Joshi, Senior Health Education Administrator of NHEICC.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 April 2020. 

Nepal in top 10 for sad reason

Kathmandu, June 7

Nepal is one of the top 10 countries worldwide that has a prevalence of child marriage among boys, UNICEF said on Friday in its first ever in-depth analysis of child grooms.

In Nepal, one in 10 men aged between 20 and 24 were married as children, said the report.

Using data from 82 countries, the study reveals that child marriage among boys is prevalent across a range of countries around the world, spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and East Asia and the Pacific.

“Marriage steals childhood,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “Child grooms are forced to take on adult responsibilities for which they may not be ready. Early marriage brings early fatherhood, and with it added pressure to provide for a family, cutting short education and job opportunities.”

According to the data, the Central African Republic has the highest prevalence of child marriage among males (28 per cent), followed by Nicaragua (19 per cent) and Madagascar (13 per cent).

Nepal ranks tenth highest and is the only country in South Asia with a significant prevalence of child marriages among both boys and girls. 

The new estimates bring the total number of child brides and child grooms to 765 million. Girls remain disproportionately affected, with one in five young women aged 20 to 24 years old married before their 18^th birthday, compared to one in 30 young men.

While the prevalence, causes and impact of child marriage among girls have been extensively studied, little research exists on child marriage among boys. However, the children most at risk of child marriage come from the poorest households, live in rural areas, and have little to no education.

“As we mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we need to remember that marrying boys and girls off while they are still children runs counter to the rights enshrined in the Convention,” said Fore. “Through further research, investment and empowerment, we can end this violation.”

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 June 2019. 

Nepal progresses in child development

Kathmandu, May 28: Children born in Nepal today have a much better chance of growing up healthy, happy, educated and protected than the children born twenty years ago, a new report by Save the Children has found.

The Global Childhood Report 2019 ranks Nepal 133^rd out of 176 countries based on a range of indicators like infant mortality, access to education, malnutrition, child marriage and child labour.

According to the report, Nepal has progressed by 142 points in the past two decades. "The country has achieved huge reductions in child mortality, seeing a 59 per cent decrease since 2000, allowing more children to survive the first five years of life," read the report.

In addition, new national estimates suggest the child labour rate in Nepal has been slashed in half over decade while child marriage rates have been cut by one third in two decades.

But Save the Children says too many Nepali children are still missing out on the childhood they deserve, with some of the most vulnerable being left behind. 36 per cent of children aged 0-5 years are still malnourished and 37 per cent of children are engaged in some form of child labour.

“Our report shows that progress for Nepali children has been truly impressive. For that progress to be sustained, we encourage the government to increase investment in targeted interventions for the most vulnerable children, including newborns, early learners, girls, ethnic minorities and Dalits,” said Ned Olney, Country Director of Save the Children Nepal.

 Globally, at least 280 million children have improved health, education and are safer than at any time in the past two decades.

The report shows the world has made remarkable progress in protecting childhoods, thanks to strong political leadership, social investments, and the success of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Singapore tops the rankings as the country that best protects and provides for its children, with eight Western European countries and South Korea also ranking in the top 10.

The most dramatic progress was among some of the world’s poorest countries, with Sierra Leone making the biggest improvements since 2000, followed by Rwanda, Ethiopia and Niger. The Central African Republic ranks last, with Niger – despite recent progress - and Chad rounding out the bottom three countries where childhoods are most threatened.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily  on 29 May 2019. 

CFLG in 50 % local bodies by 2020

The government has said that the child-friendly local governance (CFLG) would be implemented in 50 per cent local bodies by 2020.

According to a plan formulated by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), the government aims at announcing at least 15 per cent of the local bodies as ‘child-friendly’ in coming four years.

“As per the CFLG expansion plan, the ministry has been planning to give priority to the child-friendly local bodies, including school and health facilities,” said joint-secretary of the MoFALD Reshmi Raj Pandey.

The government had introduced the concept of CFLG about a decade ago to encourage the local bodies to institutionalise child protection, child development and child participation in local level policy making, structure, system and behaviour.

Five local bodies – Siddeshwor VDC of Baitadi, Bhingri VDC of Pyuthan, Tettariya VDC and Biratnagar sub-metropolitan city of Morang and Sunawal municipality of Nawalparasi – have been declared child-friendly so far.

Pragatinagar VDC of Nawalparasi was the first local body to be declared as child-friendly but it has been merged with Devchuli municipality later.

Pipra Paschim VDC of Saptari is on the final stage of CFLG declaration.

It has written a letter to the MoFALD asking to declare the village as the child friendly since it had met most of the indices of the CFLG.

Secretary of the VDC Tek Bahadur Khadka said that the village would be declared as the ‘child-friendly’ within a couple of months.

Pandey informed that the CFLG has been implemented in 58 municipalities and 1,070 VDCs of 75 districts across the country.

CFLG is being implemented through the Local Governance and Community Development Programme (LGCDP) across the country.

According to the statistics of MoFALD, there are 22,457 Child Clubs and Child Club Networks in Nepal, and 431,960 children are associated in those clubs and networks.

“About 230,659 boys and 201,031 girls are united in the clubs and networks. Approximately 63,000 children participate in Ward Citizen Forum and 3,591 in Integrated Plan Formulation Committee,” said Pandey.

With the implementation of the CFLG, children have begun to represent in School Management Committee and Health Management Committee at the local level.

CFLG is dedicated for the policy making, budget allocation and investment for the children, listening to their demands and inclusion in various decision making platform at the local level and ensure child protection and promotion.

Local bodies should allocate 10 per cent of their development budget for children and those that are implementing CFLG should pledge 15 per cent budget for the same.

The government has included the CFLG in the 14^th periodic national plan.

It has authorised Rs. 105 million for CFLG implementation in the current fiscal year which is higher by Rs. 35 million than the previous fiscal.

The budget will be used in CFLG orientation training, child meeting, CFLG resource centre management, child labour minimization programme, capacity building of Child Club Network and monitoring and evaluation. 

Pipra Paschim to be declared 'child friendly'

Kathmandu, Nov. 16: Pipra Paschim, a northern village of Saptari, is in the final stage of being declared as the 'Child Friendly VDC'.

Secretary of the VDC Tek Bahadur Khadka said that the village had written a letter to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) asking to declare the village as the child friendly as it had met most of the indices of the child friendly local governance (CFLG).

The village had begun to apply the CFLG standards about a decade ago to institutionalise child protection, child development and child participation in local level policy making, structure, system and behavior.

The village officially announced to go for the child friendly local governance through Village Council meeting four years ago.

Following the announcement, five additional early childhood development centres were constructed in 2013.

The village was declared 'open defecation free' and 'universal vaccination' village in 2014. 

"We are waiting for the response of the Ministry. The VDC office is preparing the village and child profile. Rest of the indices of CFLG have been met," said Khadka.

Pipra has 1,707 children below 18 years of age. All of them go to school.

Four years ago, only 80 per cent children used to go to school.

The Child Clubs formed at the ward and school level, and Child Club Network at the village level have been assisting the village in developing the child-friendly infrastructure, run campaign for education, sanitation, child development and against various social maladies like liquor and tobacco.

The government has made a provision that every local body should allocate 10 per cent of its annual budget for the CFLG.

The children suggest the VDC where and how to spend the budget through their Child Council Meeting organized once in a year in January.

"We ask budget for developing the sports infrastructure in every ward, birthing centre, sports and other competitions on Children's Day, run awareness campaign against child marriage, child labour and drugs," said Ramita Tharu, treasurer of Naba Jyoti Child Club of the village.

This year, 81 children, including members from marginalised, dalits, indigenous and minority community participated in the council meeting.

After the initiation of CFLG in the village, children have been representing at the School Management Committee and Health Management Committee.

Headmaster of Janata Lower Secondary School Rajeshwor Prasad Chaudhary said that the representation of children in the management committee had helped bring positive results.

"They have been pivotal in bringing change in teachers' behaviour, suggesting required infrastructure, creating educational environment in school and maintaining it," he said. 

Budget crunch hits child development

Kanchanrup, Saptari, Sept. 20: The Child Friendly Local Governance (CFLG), a government scheme for child development through better governance, has hit a snag in Kanchanrup municipality due to lack of sufficient budget.

The municipality, formed by including about nine villages, faces a paucity of funds to build child- friendly infrastructure and installing other facilities needed for maternal and child health, spaces for recreation and sanitary requirement.

Kanchanrup was announced a municipality a couple of years ago.

"Before it was announced as a municipality, Dharampur, one of the VDCs included in the municipality, was in the last stage of being declared as a CFLG village. The remaining areas in the municipality need to work a lot to attain the status of being 'child friendly'," said Bhawana Poudel, a member of Municipal Child Club Network. She has already served as the president of District Child Club Network and vice president of Regional Child Club Network.

The municipality is working to construct structures such as disable-friendly toilets, children park and declaring it as an open defecation free area but is running short of budget.

"We want a children's park, playground, a public library and public toilets here," demanded Manisha Kumari Yadav, another member of Municipal Child Club Network.

"We have emphasised on building child-friendly structures and organising capacity-building programmes for the children. But we don't have enough budget for them," said Ashok Yadav, a young engineer who leads the planning department at the municipal office.

The municipality has been struggling to reduce child marriage, child labour and child abuse. Similarly, it is still trying to become a defecation free area.

"The municipality has enforced a mandatory provision for the toilets. If anyone wants to get benefits and services from the municipal office, they must have a toilet in their home," said Yadav.

Like other villages in the district, there are child marriages in Kanchanrup. Manisha is one of the social campaigners against child marriage, who has not only raised voices against the social malady but also rescued some girls from getting married at an early age.

Child Club Network has staged street drama at 22 locations in the municipality. The drama, dialogues, costumes and acting were all organised and performed by the club.

Bhawana said that the street drama played a great role in creating awareness against child marriage. Now, children themselves report to the clubs and police if there are any cases of child marriage.

Children activism

Kanchanrup has school-level child clubs in 34 out of the 44 schools, ward level clubs in 11 wards and one municipal network.

They organise a child council once a year where they assemble in three groups – one of children below 12 years of age and two groups of males and females with children in the 12-18 age group.

They present things they don't like, give information about risky areas for children and how they could be developed in pictorial forms.

Children represent their clubs in the Ward Citizen's Forum, Municipal Council and Integrated Planning Formulation Committee. Bhawana was invited as the chief guest at the last Municipal Council which had become news across the district.

"We feel that our voices are being heard. We have become a stakeholder in the development works, and the School Management Committee, Ward Citizen's Forum and Municipal Office take us as their partner in development," said Sunil Kumar Sardar, a child club member.

They are especially proud of their success in reducing child marriage in their locality.

"We had successfully stopped one child marriage here and two other marriages were cancelled because of the first one," said Manisha.

Bhawana said that the child clubs were raising their voices against corporal punishment meted out in the schools, managing first aid boxes, including sanitary pads in schools, and planning for another street drama aimed at raising awareness about having toilets at home.

Rameshwor Yadav, District Committee member of Federal Socialist Forum, said that Kanchanrup needed to work hard to get rid of child labour and child marriage though both have been substantially minimised.

"We have been helping the child clubs in running a crusade against child marriage. Children have forced the political leaders to change their behaviour. Leaders have become more responsible and accountable because of the child clubs," he remarked.

Kanchanrup has a children's park. "The government and United Nations International Children's Fund (Unicef) provided some assistance in establishing the park," said Uttam Acharya, a journalist.

Unicef focal person for CFLG in Saptari Ashok Jha said that Unicef provided Rs. 800,000 in assistance to Kanchanrup last year and Rs. 500,000 this year.

Tettariya says goodbye to child marriage!

Tettariya, Morang, Sept. 7: Sumitra Sardar still remembers how her parents decided to force her into marriage at 16.

Coincidently, she was attending a training on anti-child marriage at that time. So she vowed to postpone her marriage until she was 18 and told her family that she would stay single for at least the next two years. As her family refused to listen to her, the headmaster of her school, facilitator of the local Child Club, and other people went to her home to convince them.

Even then her family stood against her decision. At last, all the villagers were called to the VDC office, where they were explained about the health and social complexities that an early marriage could create. They also informed the groom's family about it. Sumitra's early marriage was cancelled.

This is one of the dozens of cases in Tettariya VDC in south east Nepal where child marriage used to be a part of the social customs in the Dalit community.

But, recently, children have fought against the social malpractice on their own with support from other stakeholders working for them.

Seema Khan is another example. Her marriage was stopped even though she was about to reach 18 years of age, the minimum age set by law for marriage. Members of the local Children’s Club had to seek police help to stop Seema's marriage. She got married after two months after she reached 18.

Due to increased awareness among the children, Tettariya witnessed zero child marriage last year. A couple of years ago, there were cases of about 7 to 10 child marriages in the village.

There are child clubs in every ward and in the schools, and there is a Child Club Network at the village level.

Children of Tettariya assemble to propose projects and programmes for children at the meeting of the Village Council. Last year, they demanded a library, science lab and playground in every school.

"Such facilities should be available in every school. If there is a shortage of budget, then there should be a library, science lab and playground at least in the village so that they can be used by all the schools," said Renuka Bhujel, member of the local Child Club.

Child Club Network facilitator Rohini Khan said that a Village Children’s Assembly has been organised every year. Such assembly has 80 to 90 children representing all the wards and ward-level clubs.

Tettariya has 14 Child Clubs.

The Children’s Assembly finalises the programmes for children and submits it to the Village Council Meeting.

Child Club Network facilitator Khan said that about 90 children were associated with those clubs.

As the government has made provisions to spend 15 per cent of the VDC budget on Child Friendly Local Governance (CFLG), their programmes have higher chances of getting approval from the Council meeting.

CFLG budget has helped to address the problems and demands of children in the village, said Diksha Chaudhary, president of Child Club Network.

The CFLG initiative has become an effective intervention on such social malpractices and enhanced the capacity of children about their rights and social roles.

There is a Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) in every village to work against child marriage, child labour, corporal punishment and child trafficking.

"The Village Child Protection Committee played a crucial role in stopping Seema's marriage," said Raj Kumar Bishwas, coordinator of VCPC Tettariya. He said that gender discrimination, alcohol abuse and tobacco use were on the decreasing trend.

Nepali Congress village committee member Kiran Kumar Bishwas praised the kids for being able to make plans on their own.

"Sometimes, they propose innovative plans which have not been realised by the VDC office and leaders. Child marriage was one such example. Public toilets are also demanded by them," said Bishwas.

Tettariya was declared a Child Friendly Local Governance VDC by the government in March this year. It implemented the CFLG concept a decade ago and worked hard to meet all the indices set by the government.

Tettariya VDC and Village secretary Bishwa Mani Neupane became the best village and secretary respectively. Neupane has been awarded by the 'Janasewa Shree Medal' this year.

Children of Tettariya now are invited by other villages and municipalities to share their experience about the CFLG initiative, while many other come here to observe the development.

The VDC welcomed about eight such groups last year.