The country today celebrated National Children’s Day themed ‘Listen to Children, Stop Child Violence’, stressing the need to foster communication with children to curb violence against them.

Addressing an event organised at Basantapur today to mark the day, Khil Raj Regmi, Chairman of the interim election government, said, “Government and non-government organisations have been working for the protection of child rights. Still, the government has a lot to do when it comes to protecting the rights of every child.” He further stressed the need to change attitude towards children. The children are not only the future of the country, they are also today’s stakeholders, he said. Regmi called on government authorities to protect and promote child rights.

Tarak Dhital, executive director at the Central Child Welfare Board, said the children’s day theme was meant to draw the attention of adults towards the problems that children are facing due to a lack of communication with the elders.

In Nepal, violation of child rights is widespread with child abuse reports figuring in newspapers almost every day.

During the past one year, according to reports, child victims themselves reported half of the reported cases of child abuse. Fifty per cent of people trafficked during the same period were children.

Sumnima Tuladhar, Executive Director of CWIN, said, “Children are facing violence within the family as well. This has resulted in deaths too.”

She also drew attention towards child labour. Children have been working in informal sectors illegally and they do not get enough wages, she said. Dr. Ajay Risal, psychiatrist, said, “Communication with adults helps children clear their confusion on many issues.”

Published on: 15 September 2013 | The Himalayan Times