International Day of Girl Child: Awareness must start family

Emphasis has been laid on increasing awareness from the family level to end violence and discrimination against girls.

Speaking at a program organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens and the National Council for the Rights of the Child on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, 2021, Secretary at the Ministry Yam Kumari Khatiwada said that discrimination against girls starts even before they are born, which should be put to an end. She said that the Government of Nepal was committed to the implementation of laws and policies to end violence and discrimination against girls.

International Day of Girl Child is celebrated on 11th October since 2012.

Joint Secretary of the Ministry Umesh Dhungana said that initiatives are being taken for the implementation of the existing laws as there should be a structure at the local level.

The Executive Director of the Council, Milan Raj Dharel, shared that an initiative is being taken to set up a system at the local level to address complaints of violence and discrimination from the Child Helpline and other mechanisms.

Coordinator of the National Network Tilottam Poudel said that all parties should work for the protection, promotion, and development of the rights of girls.

On this occasion, an agreement was signed between the council and the Nepal Rugby Union for a program to encourage street children into sports. The agreement was signed by Executive Director Dharel and Association President Tanka Ghising.

Similarly, the first and second place winners of the video production competition on 'Child Rights in Federal Nepal' organised by the Ministry and the Council were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively.

On the occasion, it was shared that awareness and campaign will be launched to promote the rights of girls all over the world, to protect girls, to end all forms of discrimination against girls, to free girls from child marriage, poverty, illiteracy and discrimination.