Stakeholders Highlight Urgent Need for Child-Friendly Local Governance During Disasters

Emphasis on Child Rights Protection and Sustainable Investment

Stakeholders have stressed the critical need for Child-Friendly Local Governance (CFLG) during disasters and crises. Speaking at an interaction program titled “Child-Friendly Local Governance and Protection of Child Rights in Disasters: The Role of Media”—jointly organized by Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal, the CFLG National Forum, and World Vision International Nepal—participants underscored the importance of safeguarding children during emergencies. Chaired by Ashok Khanal and facilitated by Tilottam Paudel, child rights activist Tarak Dhital presented a paper detailing the indicators, initiatives, and overall contribution of CFLG to child rights protection.

Joint Initiative Across All Levels of Government

During the program, Tilottam Paudel, Chairperson of Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal, noted that 33 local levels and 150 wards have been declared child-friendly so far, emphasizing that all three levels of government must invest to ensure sustainability. He highlighted that children face heightened risks of trafficking, child marriage, child labor, and online abuse during disasters. Paudel stressed the immediate reopening of schools, provision of psychosocial counseling, and enhanced coordination for relief, sharing that his organization has already reached over 500 affected families in Rasuwa in collaboration with local authorities and international partners.

Demand for Child-Friendly Infrastructure and Policy Reforms

Participants, including CFLG Forum Coordinator Ashok Khanal, Secretary Harish Chandra Ghimire, and around 40 journalists, urged the government to design inclusive policies, budgets, and physical infrastructure that prioritize the best interests of children. With the current CFLG National Strategy dating back to 2011 (2068 BS), stakeholders called for a timely revision to integrate nutrition, gender equality, and the elimination of child marriage and child labor. They also drew attention to the plight of flood-affected children who remain out of school weeks after the disaster, urging coordinated action from the government, civil society, and the media.