Campaign against child abuse in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU, NOV 19 - A 19-day-long campaign against child abuse has kicked off from Monday with the main objective of ending mistreatment of children. Various programmes aimed at preventing violence against and abuse of children and securing their rights have been planned as part of the campaign initiated on the occasion of the International Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. A public awareness rally was organized this morning under the campaign which is being undertaken by the National Child Welfare Network as the main coordinator. The rally that started from Bhrikuti Mandap concluded upon reaching Basantapur Dabali after passing through Bhadrakali, Sahid Gate and New Road. The participants of the rally carried placards with slogans exhorting the stakeholders to abide by their commitment and responsibilities towards children. Children also participated in the rally. According to the Network, there are 1.8 million child workers in Nepal and 21 percent of them do not go to school. Similarly, children below 18 years of age are the victims of 49 per cent of the total cases of sexual exploitation and abuse. The Network has demanded that the meaningful participation of children be ensured in policy-making process, justice delivery to child victims of abuse and exploitation be made effective and efficient, laws related to sexual abuse should be reformed and constitutional provisions be made for protection of children´s rights. Similarly, the Network called for taking stern action against the perpetrators of child abuse, implementation of the national Master plan related to child labour and expanding the children´s helpline operated by the government throughout the country. The International Day on Prevention of Child Abuse is being marked on Tuesday amidst various programmes