Nepal has an estimated 1.1 million child laborers. While cases are declining, many children are still forced to work, which affects their overall development and well-being in various ways. According to the 2019 report by the National Human Rights Commission, around 100,000 child laborers are at risk of human trafficking. To tackle this issue, the Government of Nepal has implemented a 10-year National Master Plan on Child Labor, which has set milestones to eliminate the worst and exploitative forms of child labor by 2021 and all forms of child labor by 2024.
Good Shepherd International Foundation Nepal (GSIF Nepal) has prioritized “strengthening child protection mechanisms specifically for girls” in its strategic plan for 2022 – 2026. Accordingly, GSIF Nepal has partnered with the National Child Rights Council (NCRC) in Gandaki province to promote and protect children’s rights.
With the support of GSIF Nepal and NCRC Gandaki, Biruwa Rural Municipality has now been declared child labour-free. Prior to the declaration, each ward collected data on children, monitored engagement of minors in businesses, and complied with all the required indicators issued by the Nepalese Ministry of Labour. During this process, 3 minors were found to be engaged in child labor, reintegrated into their families, supported and enrolled in school. In this process, GSIF Nepal has provided technical support through a coordination officer, who has helped the municipality secure the grants and assisted in meeting all procedural indicators. Furthermore, the partnership of GSIF Nepal and NCRC contributed financially to developing, printing, and disseminating awareness materials like leaflets and hoarding boards.
On the day of the declaration on 28th June, Sr. Taskila Nicholas, GSF Nepal Representative congratulated the municipality for the achievement and requested for increased sensitization to make this campaign sustainable. The representatives from different political parties, local government officials, teachers, chamber of commerce and industry, media, and other stakeholders signed a commitment expressing their solidarity in the campaign.
This achievement is a significant milestone that inspires us to continue working alongside our partners-in-mission to eradicate child labor and create a safer and more just future for all children.
