New Government Urged to Prioritize Child-Friendly Policies and Programs

Kathmandu: Tilotam Paudel, Chairperson of the Children as Zones of Peace National Campaign (CZOP), has urged the new government being formed after the recently concluded House of Representatives elections to prioritize child-friendly policies and programs.

In a telephone conversation, Paudel expressed congratulations and best wishes for a successful tenure to the representatives elected from across the country. He stated that the protection and promotion of children's rights should be the primary agenda of the upcoming government.

He mentioned the necessity of promoting child-friendly, youth-friendly, and nutrition-friendly governance systems at the local level, adding that the government should prioritize the campaign to make local levels free of child labor.

According to him, since the procedure regarding a separate 'Child Budget Code' for children has already been passed, it will be the responsibility of the next government to implement it effectively.

Emphasizing that children are the pride of the nation, Paudel stressed the need to establish schools and children as zones of peace. He expressed concern over the use of children in some locations during the recent elections and stated that strict legal provisions are necessary to prevent such actions.

Similarly, he noted that effective policy reforms are required to create a child labor-free society by addressing certain weaknesses in the Act Relating to Children, 2018.

He demanded that the mid-day meal program currently running in schools be extended up to Grade 10, the child nutrition allowance—currently limited to 25 districts—be expanded nationwide, and the state increase investment in child nutrition.

The Children as Zones of Peace National Campaign and Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal expressed expectations that the establishment of effective child protection systems in all 753 local levels by the new government would contribute significantly to the protection and promotion of child rights.