Initiation by: National Initiative for Peace and Child Rights, Nepal (NIPCR Nepal)

Background/ Introduction

Child Nepal (CN), as a coordinator of National Initiative for Peace and Child Rights Nepal, initiated the national campaign in preparing the Longest Painting in the World on Peace and Child Rights by Children. The objectives of the campaign are to widely disseminate the message of peace and children in grassroots communities, make relevant stakeholders accountable in respecting rights of children and widely promote the message of Children and School as zone of peace.

The campaign anticipates participating more than 20,000 Nepali children from schools, child clubs, rehabilitation centers in preparing the longest painting whose length will be 6,500 meter. The painting events will be organized in all 75 districts of Nepal. The prepared longest painting is registered in Guinness Book of World Records (Claim ID: 326378 and Membership ID: 287128).

The campaign incepted by organizing a launching ceremony in 21st International CRC Day in November 2010 in participation civil society organizations, children and international agencies. After the launching ceremony, Child Nepal has organized series of painting events of the campaign and exhibition of the prepared paintings.

Promotional Video​

Activities Accomplished

SN	Activity Title	Date	Report
1	Longest painting event on the occasion of International Youth Day 2013
2	Longest Painting event on violence against children
3	Exhibition of Longest painting at Basantapur
4	Longest Painting event on the occasion of National Children’s Day
5	Pictorial Report of Second Exhibition at Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu	March 30, 2012
6	Pictorial Report of First Exhibition at Classic College Int’l, Kathmandu	March 18, 2012
7	Painting event at GoldenGate International College, Kathmandu	February 28, 2012
8	Painting event organized with Disabilities at Khagendra Nawajeewan Kendra, Kathmandu.	November 11, 2011
9	Painting event in organized in Bhaktapur district.	December 18, 2010
10	Second Meeting of Steering Committee	December 1, 2010
11	Launching ceremony	November 21, 2010
12	Meeting with schools and colleges	November 15, 2010
13	Development sharing program report.	November 4, 2010
14	Sharing Program Report	August 11, 2010

Planned for >>

We anticipate collaboration with interested agencies and organizations for the below mentioned planned activities:

1. Organized district level painting events and exhibition
2. Produce campaign caps and T-shirts
3. Design, produce and run radio/TV programs about the campaign
4. Produce radio/TV jingles
5. Conduct
6. Organize Mega –exhibition of longest painting in Kathmandu
7. Publish participants souvenir
8. Prepare documentary about the campaign
9. Organize exhibition of longest painting in SAARC countries

School on Child Rights is a school that initiates discourses on CR with academic knowledge and enhancing professional skills through researches, trainings, workshops, seminars, interactions and campaigns that contribute for the development of positive attitudes towards children in general and specifically children at risk. The school is situated in Kathmandu however allover Nepal remains its coverage.

Report Launching of School of Child Rights

Program Module

OHCHR Head Mr. Richard Bennett during the launching ceremony of School of Child Rights

Promotion of Right to Quality Education

Background/ Introduction

Child Nepal (CN), the national level Non Government Organization (NGO) of Nepal, is working with its full commitment for the protection and promotion of child rights in Nepal. It is well known fact that the education is the integral part of the child rights. By realizing this very fact, Child Nepal (CN) is continuously devoting its concern and support in education sector of rural area of Sindhupalchok district and the slum area of Kathmandu valley.

Through the Synergy Foundation Nepal, the leadership of the experts from the United States (US), Child Nepal (CN), as the initiating organization, has taken initiation in the formation of Charter School. Education Ministry has provided verbal commitment to run four Charter Schools as a pilot project for the academic year 2011. Among four charter schools, as a model school, Child Nepal (CN) has run one charter school in Kapan VDC of Kathmandu valley.

The very basic concern of Child Nepal (CN) regarding the education is not only to promote the right to education but also to promote the right to quality education to the children. With this view, Child Nepal (CN) has introduced the concept of charter school in Nepal. As a recent development, a school has been established as named: “Nepal Charter School” in one of the slum areas of Kathmandu valley i.e. in Kapan VDC of Kathmandu district. In this school, mainly the children from the slum area are enrolled. Children are from the family of low economic background and the school has aimed to provide quality education to them.

Rationale

In Nepal, legally, there are two types of school in the country: community and institutional (private). Community schools receive regular government grants whereas institutional (private) schools are funded by school’s own or other non-governmental sources. Institutional schools are registered either as a non-profit trust or as a company. However, in practical terms, schools are mainly of two types: public (community) and private (institutional).

Within these two types of school, they are several variations on different grounds. Basically, the students from poor economic background go to community school. The reason behind it is that private school charges expensive fee due to which the students from poor economic background cannot afford for the education. Community schools charges very nominal fee, however; it is against the norms of Right to Education as fundamental right guaranteed in Article 17 of the Interim Constitution of Nepal. Another distinction among them is related with quality education. Private schools are giving quality education in comparison to community schools because by charging expensive fee, private school can provide sophisticated facility for the students. Hence, both types of school have their own drawbacks.

Therefore, Child Nepal (CN) has realized a need of introducing the concept of charter school in Nepal. Child Nepal (CN) believes that the combine effort of Child Nepal as a National level NGO with community and state can uplift the quality of education. It is because the concept of charter school not only invokes about the right to education but also talk about the right to quality education. Charter School fit a niche between private and public school. Charter School as a newly emerged concept and module in education system is an appropriate education system in the context of Nepal where both government and private schooling systems have their drawbacks and flaws.

Additionally, community management schools have also not significantly been effective in quality education delivery in the schools, particularly in rural communities of Nepal. If we see the drop out rate among the school going children, the data is rampant and it is assumed that the number is in high. One of the main reasons behind drop out of the children from school is due to the poor economic condition of the family. Hence, the concept of charter school guarantees to resolve this problem. In this regard, the system of Charter School with resources support from government and management facilitation by non-government organizations can be much more fruitful for quality education.

Programme goal

This project has aimed to uplift the condition of the children of slum area through protecting, promoting and guaranteeing their right to quality education.

Activities Done

For the “Nepal Charter School”, following activities have been already done:

• Registration of the school.
• Formation of school management committee.
• Conduction of survey for the availability of children in school.
• Conduction of admission campaign.
• Holding of parents meeting.
• Managing the building for school with two rooms.
• Managing the basic infrastructures for the school such as: some furniture, study materials, drinking water, and toilet.
• Regular campaigning for the incorporation of charter school in the legislative mechanism as well as in the state policy.

Background/ Introduction

Child Nepal (CN) has introduced a concept of model education village in 2007. Introducing and highlighting the concept of model education village in a meeting with community stakeholders. During the meeting CN focused on the objectives, plan and policy concerning model education village. As per the suggestion given by stakeholders, CN made a plan to establish 4 ECD’s in Duwachaur VDC. In 2007 Jugal ECD was established. In 2013 Namuna ECD was established, so far it is believed that around 3500 childrens, age group of 3-5 have been benefited out of it.The devastating earthquake 2015 destroyed both the child development centers. Thus, Child Nepal initiated partnership with different organizations for the reconstruction of these community centers.

Child Nepal initiated partnership with Indigo Children’s Fund and Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (JCYCN) for the reconstruction of Jugal Child Development Centre. Coordination with Melamchi Municipality was done for this purpose. The reconstruction work initiated from May 2018 and completed in December 2018. The building comprise four rooms (3 class rooms and 1 office) with attached toilets in two classrooms. Also, maintenance of kitchen was done. The classrooms were supplied with child friendly set-up, learning/playing materials for children along with out-door playing materials. Child Nepal handover the building to local government on December 2018 by organizing a formal building handover program amid the representatives from donors, local government and community people. 58 children age-group 3-5 years are directly benefited from this work.

Activities Accomplished

SN	Activity Title	Date	Report
1	Building inauguration and Handover	December 16, 2018
2	Earthquake 2015_CDCs Duwachaur	April 25, 2015
3	Evaluation forms of Porridge Program_Child Nepal
4	Final Report_Rice Pudding Program_Jugal CDC
5	Progress ReportNamuna CDC
6	Namuna CDC Inauguration 2013 Report_Child Nepal__June 24	June 24, 2013
7	Baseline Survey Report Ramche CDC	February/March, 2012
8	MEV and Rural Tourism	February 24-27, 2008
9	A Report on JUGAL CDC Ingauguration	May 17, 2008
10	Action Plan on Duwachaur MEV
11	Duwachaur Village Profile 2007	May, 2007
12	Interaction on Model Educational Village	August 26-27, 2007

Background/ Introduction

School to School Partnership Program (SSPP) is an innovative program initiated by child Nepal (CN) for quality education in rural areas of Nepal. Child Nepal is a campaign based NGO working for Child Rights and quality education in Nepal. Since, Nepal is an underdeveloped country where the quality of education is not good as compared to other developed countries. We believe that through this School to School Partnership Program we can make the rural students known about the teaching methodology in abroad which could be helpful in uplifting their academic development.

School to School Partnership program involves two schools from abroad and Nepal seeking to encourage the use of foreign teaching in Nepalese schools. Partner schools will use be using third language as their working and communication language. During the program, school, teacher and students in both countries will work together on a common theme and produce a joint end product. Each participating school can to carry out a class exchange to its partner schools involving students. During the class exchanges, students work together at school and are hosted in each others’ families. The cooperation would not only be limited to the exchanges but activities will cover the whole program period. The general aim of SSPP program is to enhance the global dimension of education in Nepalese schools by promoting joint co-operation activities between schools in abroad and Nepal. The program provides an opportunity to work together on one or more topics of mutual interest. School to School Partnerships help students and teachers to acquire and improve skills not only in the topic or subject area on which the program is focused, but also in terms of teamwork, social relations, planning and undertaking project activities and using information and communication technologies (ICT).

The aim of this program is to develop a friendly relationship between schools of Nepal and abroad. Participating in a SSPP with schools in Nepal gives students and teachers the opportunities to support schools of underdeveloped country, teach new skills, practice foreign languages, culture tradition, do research and increases their motivation. Child Nepal (CN) facilitates in developing such relationships with the schools of rural communities in Nepal.

Objectives

1. To exchange skills, information, culture and new learning among schools in Nepal and abroad.
2. To initiate fundraising for rural schools by the schools in abroad

Activities

1. Schools identification
   Firstly, CN facilitates to identify/search schools abroad through online. If the schools are interested in School to School Partnership Program (SSPP) then relation will be initiated via CN and Link between schools will be created online.
2. Develop linkage between schools
   CN facilitates to develop linkages among schools of Nepal and abroad. Email exchanges will be done between students and teachers. Drafting, publishing and disseminating documentation related to the co-operation activities and dissemination of program experience and outcomes.
3. School Visit
   Students and teachers from schools in abroad will be invited to visit and have sharing with the school here in Nepal. CN facilitates overall process in it. During the visit, meeting with schools, involvement in cultural programs, and side-scene in religious and touristic places will be organized. Gifts will be between schools during the visit. Exchange of experience and good practice with the partner school abroad, study visit, Fieldwork, project research will be conducted.
4. Organize school level program
   Under this program organization of exhibitions, producing technical objects, drawings, arts objects will be done and taught to rural children. Performances (e.g. theatre plays, musicals) will also be conducted.
5. Fundraising
   Schools and students in abroad can initiate fundraising for the schools in Nepal with which SSPP is initiated. The funds will be utilized for welfare and quality education of rural schools in Nepal.

When choosing the activities of SSPP program, schools are strongly encouraged to choose any topic of interest and importance to the participating institutions, as it will be the motivating force for co-operation and learning within the program. Program activities will ideally be integrated into the regular activities of the schools and be included in the curriculum of participating students. Partner schools can be able to be involved in all phases of the project, including the planning, organization and evaluation of activities.

Outcomes

• Rural schools in Nepal learn about teaching methods tools of schools in abroad.
• Exchange of education situation in countries in Nepal and abroad.
• Students in both countries get acquainted with cultural, geographical, economic and other information
• Support will be generated for rural schools in Nepal from schools in abroad.
• Students can make friendship with abroad students and learn new life learning skills.

Current School to School Partnership Program (SSPP) of Child Nepal.

Child Nepal started SSPP with Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, London, UK from the year 2009. CN facilitated to develop relation of this school with Shree Bal Sudhar Higher Secondary School at Duwachaur, Sindhupalhcok where CN is running its projects.

CN had an online communication with Maidstone and further shared emails of students of Bal Sudhar in Nepal. The students initiated having emails exchange and shared information with each other. Afterwards, the students in Maidstone started fundraising for Bal Sudhar School.

In 2010, students and teachers from Maidstone organized a visit to Nepal and visited Bal Sudhar School. They had supported Solar and Battery for operating computers which was inaugurated during the visit.

 View the Report for detailed information

The fundraising in the schools in Maidstone is continuing and CN organized English language and Computer Training to students and teachers in Duwachaur, Sindhupalhcok.
 View the Report for detailed information

If your school is ready to initiate SSPP with schools here in Nepal, please contact CN.

Background/ Introduction

The Human Development Report 2016 places Nepal in 144th HDI Rank which is categorized under medium human development category. It values 0.925 on Gender Development Index. The report presents 15 million girls in developing countries marry before age 18 and further predicts that if there is no reduction of early marriage among girls, by 2050, 18 million girls will be married before age 18. Nepal is not an exception to such practices. In addition, the global community, currently, is guided by SDGs that has mentioned Gender Equality (Goal 5) as one of the major goals. It mentions that ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, but it also crucial to accelerating sustainable development. It has been proven time and again, that empowering women and girls has a multiplier effect, and helps drive up economic growth and development across the board. Attaining such situation of gender equality and a scenario of no gender violence among women and girls is challenging in Nepal. Moreover, Nepal’s human rights record was reviewed second time at the 23rd session of Human Rights Council on 4 November 2015 where Government of Nepal accepted key recommendations made to eliminate gender inequality and criminalizing harmful traditional practices and abolition of child marriage. Also, HR&D Country Strategy 2016-20 and EU Country Roadmap highly prioritize gender sensitive agendas. Thus, the Girls SAMVAD project is designed to contribute the issues of gender equality and existing violence on girls raised by HDI, SDGs, EU and UPR in Nepal.

Objectives

Overall Objective:

To contribute towards realizing the rights and entitlements of adolescent girls, youth/women and children with special needs together with their families from marginalized groups educated, conscious on their roles, empowered to fight against social taboos and become less vulnerable in child marriage violence and trafficking for materializing the National Strategy to End Child Marriage.

Specific Objective:

Empowered adolescent girls together with families by building life skills to fight against child marriage dowry, dropouts, trafficking, discrimination and other forms of violence and malpractices through right based SAMVAD approach and further plan for better future and contribute to social transformation of their communities.

Target Group / Areas

3000 Girls representing from 3,500 HHs Marginalized, Dalit and minority communities and children with special needs including aprox.15,000 people (women and mothers, parents, religions leaders, community leaders, government service providers, teachers) engage/involve in Bara and Parsa Districts.

Final Beneficiaries

Marginalized, Dalit and minorities families (Poor Adolescent Girls, Women, Youth, Dalit, Muslim and Madeshi) including government service providers, CBOs and local stakeholders

Expected Results

R1- Adolescent girls from Dalit and marginalized families developed confidence, self-esteem and enabled to claim their equal rights and cases of child marriage along with traditional harmful practices reduced
R2- Out of school and dropout adolescent Girls and children from targeted marginalized communities decreased
R3- Opportunities for local advocacy on girls empowerment and socio-economic enhancement options increased through active engagement of parents

Activities

• Establish and operate Girls SAMVAD Center (Dialogue Center) with trained animators and staff
• Strengthen and Mobilize Adolescents/youth and their networks for advocacy campaign against child marriage, violence and other form of social taboos
• Publication, orientation and dissemination of IEC/BCC materials
• Demonstrate rural/street dramas against child marriage/traditional harmful practices
• Support Bridge courses to girls in carrying on their education
• Provide specialized assistance to most needy girls
• Support school enrolment campaigns
• Campaign to Support in making girls friendly toilets and disability friendly small school structures
• Support Small Hands Programs initiated by adolescent girls members of SAMVAD and networks
• Initiate and roll out peer education programs to parents
• Support small scale Income Generating programs

Publications

• Girls Samvad Programme Brochure
• E-Bulletin H2020
• किशोरी संवाद (अंक ५, ‍बैशाख, २०७८)
• किशोरी संवाद (अंक ४, ‍असार/साउन, २०७७)
• किशोरी संवाद (अंक ३, ‍भदाै/असाेज, २०७६)
• किशोरी संवाद (अंक २, ‍फाल्गुण/चैत्र, २०७५)
• किशोरी संवाद (अंक १, असोज, २०७५)
• संवाद सञ्चालन निर्देशिका (भाग १)
• संवाद सञ्चालन निर्देशिका (भाग २)
• संवाद सञ्चालन निर्देशिका (भाग ३)

Reports

• Endline Report
• Baseline Report
• Annual Narrative Report 2018-19
• Annual Narrative Report 2017-18

Achievement in Increasing Access or Capacity Building in STEM Education for Women and Girls of Color.

Over the past five years, Child Nepal has implemented a comprehensive approach to address the gender and racial disparities in STEM education and careers. Through the strategic initiatives, Child Nepal has achieved notable improvements in various key indicators.

Increased School/College Placement Rates: Child Nepal has consistently worked to provide scholarships and financial support to women and girls of color pursuing higher education in STEM fields. As a result, the college placement rate for female students from marginalized communities has increased by 25% over the past three years. This is a direct reflection of the organization’s efforts to reduce financial barriers and create pathways for higher education. These girls are outreach through Girls SAMVAD Centers and are enrolled in schools and colleges after assessment and verification.

Higher Graduation Rates: Child Nepal’s mentorship and support programs have contributed to a significant increase in the graduation rates of women and girls of color in STEM disciplines, particularly in Madhesh Province of Nepal. Over the past four years, the graduation rate for female students in STEM-related majors has risen by 20%, showcasing the impact of tailored guidance and mentorship.

Employment and Career Advancement: Child Nepal’s focus on career development has led to a 30% increase in the employment rate of women and girls of color in STEM fields within one year of graduation. Their career readiness workshops, networking events, and connections with industry professionals have played a pivotal role in creating meaningful employment opportunities.

Enhanced Test Scores and Academic Performance: The organization’s targeted tutoring and academic support programs have led to an average 15% improvement in standardized test scores among participants. By providing additional resources and personalized guidance, Child Nepal has helped women and girls of color overcome educational challenges and excel academically.

Community Engagement and Awareness: Child Nepal’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of STEM education for women and girls of color have resulted in a 40% increase in community engagement. This includes participation in STEM workshops, seminars, and local events, fostering a culture of support and empowerment.

Long-Term Impact: Child Nepal has been tracking the long-term impact of their interventions. Five years after program participation through Girls SAMVAD project, over 63% of their beneficiaries are employed in STEM-related professions, contributing to the growth and diversification of the STEM workforce in Nepal. These quantitative data points demonstrate the significant achievements of Child Nepal in increasing access and capacity building in STEM education for women and girls of color. Through targeted scholarships, mentorship, career development, and community engagement, Child Nepal has made substantial progress in breaking down barriers and creating pathways for underrepresented groups to thrive in STEM fields.

Category	Content
Name of Country	Nepal
Name of Organization	Child Nepal (CN)
Title of Project	Bridging Access to Education for Early Age Children with Disability (BRIDGE) Project
Type of Project	□ Training√ □ Education√ □ Lecture □ Workshop □ Consulting Service □ Campaign □ Forum □ Employment Support □ Conference □ Other (Education materials support)
Project Objective	The overall objective of the project is to enhance the capacity of parents and teachers for early intervention in education for children with disabilities. As early childhood offers a critical stage in shaping the trajectory of any child’s holistic development, it is important to create a favorable condition for early age children with disabilities through early intervention from birth to pre-school. It contributes the Incheon Strategy to expand early intervention and education of children with disabilities (Goal 5) and its targets to enhance measure for early detection of, and intervention for, children with disabilities from birth to pre-school age (Target 5.A) and to halve the gap between children with disabilities and children without disabilities in enrolment rates (Target 5.B)
Project Period	June – November, 2023
Project Budget	20,984.46 USD
Target Region	Budanilkantha Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal
Target Group	This project will directly benefit 156 children with disabilities from our project area. Disabled children in preschool targeted by this project will benefit from better quality and disabled friendly teaching learning environment classes. Similarly, around 1620 parents of the disabled will have enhanced capabilities to apply measures of early intervention for children with disabilities at home through trainings and parental sessions. 18 teachers of the targeted preschools will also benefit from specific disable friendly ECD training and support. Similarly, the communities of Budanilkantha Municipality which includes the siblings and parents of other children who will be reached by the awareness messages related to the importance of early intervention and school enrolment will of be benefitted from this project.
Necessity of Project	There are currently around 300 disabled children in Budanilkantha Municipality (referenced from the Investing in Early Childhood Development Project (IECD) of Child Nepal) who do not have proper access to education facilities and the ones who have do not have disable friendly environment to learn. The parents of disabled children lack proper knowledge and especially the least educated, have little to no awareness of the early intervention and its value and the special needs of disabled children for their psycho cognitive and holistic development. Similarly, schools and their teachers lack proper disable friendly infrastructures. Children’s Act 2018 of Nepal guarantees an inclusive education system, responsive to the needs of children with special learning needs. An effort to operationalize CRPD in the country, the Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2074 (2017) furthers the rights of children with disabilities to non-discrimination, learning support such as Braille, sign language and technological devices and provision of appropriate teaching and learning materials. The project is necessary for strengthening referral mechanisms for children with disabilities in our project target areas, increase awareness amongst parents and invest in the professional development of specialist teachers for inclusive classroom approaches.

Activities

1. Conduct 54 parental sessions on enhancing parental skills in empowering children with disability,
2. Support enrollment campaign of children with disability,
3. Organize four days’ workshop to teachers on disability friendly teaching/learning process in classroom and materials production,
4. Support sustainable and disable friendly teaching materials in 18 early childhood centers in schools,
5. Promote Teachers/Parental tips and techniques in digital platform on ECD,
6. Orientation on ECD and Disability to School Principals.

Project Background/Introduction

The Constitution of Nepal 2072 has guaranteed the rights for the children’s protection and envision the situation for enjoying their rights of development, participation, and survival as the fundamental rights. Also, the Act Relating to Children 2075 (2018) has ensured that the federal, province and local level will have the duty to maintain the best interests of the children, by respecting, protecting, promoting and fulfilling the rights of the child. Moreover, the Act has clearly provisioned that local government should form Local Child Rights Committee and appoint child welfare authority in order to respect, protect and promote the rights of the child for carrying out child protection acts. Also, children will have the right to open organization and assemble peacefully in accordance with the Act.

As the human development index shows that the HDI of the province 2 is 0.51 i.e. the lowest index according to Nepal Human Development Report 2020, so the government’s priority is in province-2 for social and economic development.   In this context, in order to promote and protect rights of the child, local level is to be strengthened with local mechanisms and structure of the local government (Municipality or Rural Municipality) according to the spirit of the Children’s Act 2018. Hence the facilitation of CSOs is needed to establish the local child protection mechanisms like local child rights committee and child clubs in order to ensure child rights in Madhav Narayan Municipality. Madhav Naraya Municipality lies in the southern part of Rautahat district. According to 2011 census, the municipality has 5479 households along with the population of 35175 that includes 18, 253 males and 16,922 females. In fact, the ratio of male to female population was 1.08 which indicates that Madhav Naraya Municipality has 8 percent lower males as compared to the females. the largest population in Madhav Narayan Municipality are between 5 and 9 years of age with total 5,531 following the age groups between 10 and 14 (4,809), below 4 (4,061), between 15 and 19 (3,107), between 25 and 29 (2,640) with total population of 20,148. 17393 (19.18%) people are illiterate in the municipality as of 2011. Mostly spoken language in Madhav Narayan is Bajjika following Urdu, Maithili, Nepali, Yakkha, Bhojpuri, Hindi etc. Municipality is inhabited by mostly the people of Yadav caste with total population and subsequently Teli, Mallaha, Koiri/Kushwaha, Paswan, Bin, Chamar, Dhobi, Thakur Lohar, Muslim, Musahar, Dom etc. There are 1.53% disabled persons who lives in the munciplaity. there are total 35 houses, which are equipped with piped tap water resources while 5,188 houses were reported of having tubewell water facilities. Same as, 9 houses had covered well while 11 houses didn’t have any cover on their tubewell as per the household’s source of water. According to the report of State of Children in Nepal, NCRC 2019 reveals that the case of rape and attempt to rape are high in Madhesh-Pradesh (Province 2). Also, the Human Development Index of Rautahat district is only 0.386 according to Nepal Human Development Report 2014. In this scenario, child rights situation is worse in the local body of the district as the most populations belongs to marginalized community and economically backward classes, thereby striving for making their ends to meet. Furthermore, discrimination in various forms is still highly prevalent, especially with regard to gender and children of lower caste and hence marginalized families. They lack equal social and economic opportunities. Moreover, children with disabilities are even more disadvantaged and deprived. There is neither a referral system nor institutions to ensure their proper development and protection. Corporal punishment is also still prevalent within the school and community in Nepal. It is widely accepted as an appropriate measure to discipline children and commonly used as a penalty for wrong behavior either at home or at schools.

The project-“Strengthening Child Rights System in Local Level (OP3CRC)” focuses on the protection system of the local government The project has been designed to reform local child rights committee in municipality and capacitated the LCRC members to implement the Children’s Act 2075. The municipality has the CRC guidelines 2077 on child rights protection and promotion but it needs to be amended according to Children’s regulations 2078. With regard to the target of the indicators, the local government still needs to allocate the child fund, appoint psychosocial counsellor and establish complaint handling mechanism in the municipality. In addition, the municipality has not reformed the municipal level child club network, so the LCRC should reform the child club network in municipal level. In this context, the municipality has to do further intervention for increasing their accountability toward child rights promotion and the project is facilitating the local government to strengthen protection system in the municipality.

Overall Objective: To contribute to fulfill the international obligations of the GoN in ensuring child rights in Nepal.

Sub-Objective 1: To strengthen child rights system in local government

Target groups

Local Representatives and Bureaucrats: The project targets to capacitate local representatives and increase their accountability toward child rights as they are the key entities of the project who need to be influenced in order make them positive towards establishing child protection mechanism in municipal level. The project targets to work with 20 local representatives and bureaucrats.  As the Bureaucrats play various roles in modern society, especially Nepal by virtue of holding administrative, functional, and managerial positions in local government. If they are not persuaded for implementation of the Child Rights Act 2018 for local government agencies, would not be go smoothly.

National Child Rights Council (NCRC): NCRC has specific role regarding child rights monitoring and recommending Government of Nepal to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights. With regards to child rights system strengthening and OP3CRC ratification, the project closely collaborates with NCRC. NCRC itself has already started doing a study on Relevancy of OPIC in Nepal on behalf of Government of Nepal and recently the council has prioritized the agenda of OP3CRC. So, the project collaborates with Executive Director of NCRC and the key staff working there. The organization has already established a good rapport with NCRC regarding OP3CRC ratification and thus coordination will be consistently done with the council during the intervention of the project in local level as well.

CSOs/Networks: CSOs are the major actors in facilitating local government to strengthen child rights system by building capacity of the local level. The project coordinates with like-minded organizations working in child rights sectors in the project area.

Community School: Majority of the children are affiliated with community schools for education in the districts of the Madhesh-Pradesh Province. Moreover, the project targets community schools to establish child protection system to fight against all forms of violence in school and community.  Hence, the project closely coordinates with teachers, SMC, PTA and child clubs and promotes child rights adopting bottom-up approach.

Children:  The project targets children in order to empower children/adolescents so that they can stand up themselves for their rights in school and community . They participated in the child club, schools, children’s gatherings meaningfully. The project plans to work directly with more than 100 children during the project cycle.

Output 1: Accountability of local government is increased for realization of child rights

A1.1.Inception meeting with Municipality/Rural Municipality

A1.2. Formation of Local Child Rights Committee (LCRC) in municipality level

A1.3. Three-Days training to LCRC members on capacity building

A1.4. Support to Complaint Handling Mechanism

A1.5.Intergenerational Dialogues at schools and community led by child clubs (Local Government, Parents, Teachers

A1.6..Establish child protection mechanism (child club) at schools

A1.7. Capacity Building and Mobilization of Child Club

A1.8. Facilitate to draft operational guidelines for Local CRCs

A1.9. Two-Days Training on the role of child clubs against child trafficking, child marriage, child labour and various forms of violence

A1.10. Inter-dialogue with newly elected representatives of municipality and wards and memorandum Handover

A1.11 Support child clubs to organize child led events

A1.12. Formation of School Child Protection Committee (SCPC) and conduct regular meetings

A1.13.Training to child club members on wall magazine

A1.14 Training to children on story writing

A1.15. Training to media professionals for child rights advocacy and Media mobilization

A1.16.Training on street drama (Child marriage , child trafficking, child labor etc)  and demonstration

Output 2: Facilitate GoN to sign and ratify OP3CRC

A2.1. Lobby Meetings with stakeholders ( Political Leaders, Parliamentarians, NHRC, Government officials and CSOs) for OP3CRC Advocacy)

Signature and Ratification of The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) in Nepal

Background/ Introduction

United Nations enforced the Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) on 20th Nov 1989 and further adopted optional protocols

1. Optional Protocol to the Convention to the Right of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC) and
2. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Right of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC)

on 25th May 2000. Both these optional protocols entered into force on 18th Jan 2002 and 12th Feb 2002 respectively.

The Government of Nepal ratified the UNCRC on 14th September 1990 and became the state party of this convention. In addition, Nepal government signed both the optional protocols on 8th Sept 2002. As per the UNCRC Article 44 paragraph 1: State party must report initially two years after acceding to the Convention and then every five years. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of ‘concluding observations’. The Committee reviews additional reports which must be submitted by States who have acceded to the two Optional Protocols to the Convention.

The government of Nepal has already sent the state report on OPSC and has accomplished its preparation on OPAC. Moreover, the civil society should also prepare the shadow report on both these optional protocols so as to comprise the missing aspects of the state reports. CRC Sub-Committee of Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Coordination Committee (HRTMCC) secretariat at Child Nepal (CN) has taken initiation in preparing the shadow reports and is in the phase of having consultations with children and stakeholders.

Activities Accomplished:

SN	Activity Title	Date
1	List of Issues CRC 3-4-5	2014
2	List of Issues OPAC	2014
3	Submission of supplementary reports to UN committee on the Rights of the Child	September, 2014
4	Experts Consultation for civil society supplementary report on CRC and OPAC in collaboration with National Human Rights Commision	June 25, 2014
5	Consultations with children and adults in regional and national level for civil society supplementary report on CRC and OPAC	May/June, 2014
6	Formation of CRC Reporting Coalition Nepal which is the Umbrella Coalition of existing coalitions of Nepal	July 15, 2013
7	Sharing Program of OPSC Concluding Observations	September 24, 2012
8	Consultation Workshop with Children Thematic Study_CN	July 25, 2012
9	Participation in 60th session of UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.	June 4, 2012
10	Facilitation meeting with government representatives to participate in upcoming hearing in Geneva.	December 22, 2011
11	Participation in Pre-Session of UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.	October, 2011
12	CRC, OPSC Alternative Report – Nepal, sent to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.	July, 2011
13	Experts’ Consultation at National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on OPSC Alternative Report.	August 9, 2011
14	National Consultation workshop in Kathmandu.	December 27, 2010
15	Consultation workshop with children and stakeholders at Chitwan, Nepal.	December 21-22, 2010
16	Consultation with 1612 National Task Force and CAAFAG working group.	December 9, 2010
17	Eastern Regional consultation workshop accomplished at Biratnagar supported by PLAN Nepal.	September 25-26, 2010
18	Accomplished Consulation Workshop with children and stakeholders at Nepalgunj supported by World Vision International.	September 5-6, 2010
19	Organizational visits for collecting case studies on OPSC and OPAC.
20	Information collection from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on Child pornographic sites.
21	Information collection on OPSc from different NGOs working in Nepal.
22	Meetings with CRC-Sub Committee, HRTMCC members.
23	Orientation Workshop with Child Rights Organizations for sharing on CRC Optional Protocols, Shadow Reporting process and UN Systems and Mechanisms.	March 2, 2010

Signature and Ratification of The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) in Nepal

Background/ Introduction

The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) entered into force in April 2014. It enables children to apply their complaints on child rights violations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child if the state law fails to respond adequately. Till now there are 52 signatories and 46 Parties to OP3CRC. With regards to South Asia, the Maldives is the only state that has signed the treaty but no state has ratified it to date. Due to a lack of appropriate legislation or poor law enforcement respectively, various Child right violations are prevalent in Nepal. In order to ensure a consequent compliance with the CRC the ratification of OP3CRC is indispensable. Up to present, the Government of Nepal rejects to ratify the third Optional Protocol, as it fears upcoming additional burden. This concern, however, results from a huge knowledge gap regarding the content of the OP3CRC and the consequences of ratification. CN has been incessantly working on comprehensive awareness and advocacy campaign on the OP3CRC. CN is also the only member of Ratify OP3CRC which is an international Coalition for the OPCRC on a Communications Procedure which facilitates the ratification of OP3CRC. CN has recently formed “Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal” which works for lobbying and advocating for ratification of OP3CRC by the government of Nepal.

CN has been rigorously aiming to persuade the government of Nepal to ratify the OP3CRC in order to ensure a long-term fulfillment of the international obligations of the Government of Nepal on the rights of the Child. CN has formed “Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal” on 17th August 2017, with various networks and Organizations with several prominent personals as advisors for the coalition who have been working on rights of the child and human rights in general and several developing partners as observer members.

CN’s effort on advocacy and lobbying for ratification of OP3CRC more specifically from the following year:

2011: CN organized inter-ministerial interaction program on 21 December 2011, immediate after the adoption of OP3 CRC by UN General Assembly on 19 December 2011.

2011-2012: Translation of OP3CRC in Nepali language and wider dissemination. Interaction program with CSO’s regard OP3CRC

2014: Issues for ratification of OP3CRC was raised in UN Committee on the Right of the Child in 69th pre sessional working group in Geneva Switzerland and in 2016 concluding observation stated it.

2016: National workshop on 20th November 2016 ratification of OP3CRC where representatives from government authorities, NHRC and civil society organizations had their participation. Some key results include:

– Commitment from NHRC received to recommend Government of Nepal to sign and ratify the OP3CRC.
– Government authorities expected systematic advocacy programs from civil society organizations on OP3CRC ratification and make it a common mission.

2017: Create a Network to Ratify OP3CRC Coalition. Regular interaction with political parties, ministries and the National Human Rights Commission. Publications related to Ratify OP3CRC Coalition. Interaction with Communication media

2018: Strategic plan for the ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal. Publications related to Ratify OP3CRC Coalition. Interaction with Communication media, political parties, govt. agencies. National workshop Of OP3CRC on the occasion of 10th Human rights national magnameet 2018. Submission of letter of activities done with the coordination and collaboration of NHRC.

2019: Planning workshops of “Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal” and revise and finalize the strategic plan of Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal for 2019-

2022: Mock session on the communication procedure of OP3CRC with children. 32 episodes produced and broadcasted Television dialogue on OP3CRC. Translate, Publish and distribute Advocacy toolkit on OP3CRC in Nepali language. Learning and Sharing Meeting of Television dialogue viz. Baal Bimarsha. Publish, print and distribute booklet on child friendly version of key questions on OP3CRC for children. High level Dialogue with Ms. Mikkio Otani on Child Situtaions and Relevance of OP3CRC in Nepal.

2020: Closed session with influencing persons from major political parties and GoN authorities.

Activities Accomplished

SN	Activity Title	Date	Report
1	Meeting Minute of Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal	17-Feb-2019
2	Report of Mock session on The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) with Children	19-Jan-2019
3	Report of planning workshop of Ratify The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) Coalition Nepal	11-12 January 2019
4	Strategic Plan 2019-2022 Ratify The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) Coalition Nepal	2019-22
5	Report of National workshop on The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC)	11 December 2018
6	Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure booklet(English/Nepali)	2017
7	National level Workshop on The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC)	20 November 2016
8	The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure Flyer (Nepali)	2016
9	UNCRC Optional Protocol on Communications Procedure (Nepali translation)	2013

 

ICCEN Project: Integrated Initiatives for Climate, Children, and Education in Nepal

📍 Location: Helambu Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok
🗓️ Duration: July 2024 – June 2025
👥 Implemented by: CHILD NEPAL

🧭 Goal:
To enhance the resilience and well-being of flood-affected families by:

• 📚 Improving school attendance & retention

• 🛡️ Reducing protection risks for children—especially girls

• 🌾 Promoting climate-resilient livelihood restoration

---

🎯 Key Highlights & Achievements

📘 Education & Protection

• 🍱 665 students received daily nutritious meals

• 🏠 Constructed hygienic kitchen & dining facility

• 🖥️ Established a Smart Classroom at the Integrated Learning Center

• 🎒 Distributed school materials to 150 vulnerable children

• 🏫 Enhanced access to quality education in 2 schools + 1 Integrated Learning Center

---

💼 Livelihood Support

• 🌿 Launched 20 climate-resilient livelihood initiatives

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Engaged 40% of local community through:

  • 🧑‍🏫 Trainings

  • 👥 Committee participation

  • 📢 4 awareness workshops on child rights & protection

---

📣 Community Awareness

• 👧 Led by girls, supported by media

• 📻 Radio campaigns, 🎥 social media outreach, and 🎤 community events

• 📊 Reached 9,000+ individuals

• 🧠 Boosted knowledge on child rights and child protection

---

🏁 Impact Summary