Child Rights

          All people from their birth to the age of puberty a children. They are all delicate, innocent and dependent. They are not capable of making right decisions. They need good support from their family and society. Children occupy an important portion of every population. The future of the nation high depends upon the level of care being provided to its children who are sensitive and receptive. Actually children are the future, builders of their nation and everyone has responsibility to contribute to their all-round development.

          The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 L recognized various rights for the survival, development protection and participation of children. According to it, children (from conception to i8 years of age) have a right t, name and nationality and care within a family, including good health care and nutrition. They also have, a right to good preparation for life including a stimulating education e— opportunities for games and sports and creativity. Children have a right to be protected from mistreatment or exploitation and to special provision if they are handicapped or orphans. J Finally they have right ‘to freedom ‘of expression, thought conscience and religion.

          Most countries of the world including Nepal ‘have signed the UN convention expressing their commitment to protect a’- promote the various rights of their children as laid down in it. But the condition of children in most parts of the world is good. Child labour’ still continues to remain a serious w problem. The UN estimates have stated that by the year ‘there were 375 million child labourers worldwide. Most of them in underdeveloped countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Most child labourers work long hours for small wages and are Unable to have any education and health care. Many are victims of sexual abuse as well.

          Nepal alone has over 2 million child labourers who fulfill about ‘15% of the total workforce of the country. They work in factories, farms and households in various conditions of hardship, deprivation and danger. Some are even bonded as slaves. Most of these child labourers are vulnerable to physical and mental torture.- Thousands of orphans, homeless and deserted children are living in the street. Even those few sheltered in child centers are not secure and well-cared. To worsen the situation, every year, thousands of girls are trafficked

         In India childrens are made to serve as prostitutes. During the conflict period,, some were used as militants. Also many of the ordinary children living with their parents are diseased, malnourished and deprived of good educational facilities.

          The government has the main responsibility of guaranteeing the rights of all children. Now the constitution has recognized child rights as a fundamental right. There are several acts and regulations such as the Children Act 2048. Many NGO’s and INGO’s have programmes to support theneedy children. But our enforcement has always remained poor. Poverty, ignorance and insincere leadership stand as great challenges. Our enforcement mechanism must be made strong and effective so that our own efforts and those from international child rights agencies such as UNICEF and ILO can turn meaningful. Sincere efforts should be made to raise the economic level of many families in rural areas. Parents should also know the importance of proper childcare. To sum up, we all have parts to play for shaping the future of our children in a proper way.