Discussion on Child and girls Centric Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights

9 July 2025, Kathmandu

Stakeholders have emphasized that the government must be more sensitive to the protection and promotion of child rights. Speaking at a national workshop organized by the Children as Zones of Peace National Campaign (CZOP) on the "Fourth Cycle Report on Child and girl-Centric Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Human Rights," stakeholders shared their views.

Every four and a half years, the human rights situation of each country is reviewed globally through the Universal Periodic Review. The United Nations, comprising 193 member countries including Nepal, conducts this review to assess the human rights situation of its members and make appropriate recommendations.

Speaking at the event, Chief Guest and Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Tap Bahadur Magar, stated that during the UPR process, three separate reports are submitted; one by the national commissions including the Human Rights and Women Commissions, one by the government, and one by civil societies. This structure ensures a balanced representation of issues in the country. Highlighting issues like child marriage and child labor, he said, “There is a belief that child marriage happens due to age factors. There's discussion on whether something can be done about it. However, the Human Rights Commission has not yet taken a position.”

He emphasized that children should not be affected by any circumstances and called for coordinated efforts to protect their rights. “Some of our traditional beliefs, like certain jobs being designated for women or men, are also contributing to problems. We need to resolve such issues,” said Chairperson Magar.

On the program, Advocate Kapil Aryal presented the child-centric and girl-child-centric UPR review reports prepared with the support of CZOP, Save the Children, Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (Jcycn) and KANALLAN. He noted that Nepal has been participating in the UPR since 2011, with previous reviews conducted in 2011, 2015, and 2021. Now, for the 2025 fourth cycle, discussions are ongoing among civil society organizations and the Human Rights Commission. He also highlighted the alarming trend of sex-selective abortions, revealing that the male birth rate is higher.

Aryal raised concern over the rising attention to mental health in children but pointed out the lack of adequate service centers and trained personnel for this issue. He also pinpointed the problems that the girl child are facing in Nepal with the reference from report, stating less excess to friendly structures in school, menstrual problems, lack of nutritious mid-day meals along with the recommendations including; local level budget should focus on empowering girls and capacity building of female local elected representative.

He appreciated Nepal's achievements in vaccination but identified crimes against children as a major challenge. He noted that child labor remains unresolved and stressed the need to raise awareness among families to eliminate it.

Mina Sharma, Chairperson of CZOP, shared that the fourth cycle child-centric UPR draft report was developed through consultations and discussions with children and stakeholders from all seven provinces. This effort was supported by Save the Children, World Vision International, Plan International, KANALLAN, and 98 other civil society organizations across the country.

She emphasized the need for a separate child budget code, a high-level child rights monitoring mechanism, and practical implementation of campaigns declaring schools and children as zones of peace. She insisted on maintaining the legal marriage age at 20. Sharma also highlighted CZOP’s advocacy for protecting children’s civic space and human rights and mentioned that, for the first time, child-specific data has been publicly released in coordination with the National Statistics Office. She noted gaps in implementing laws and policies despite Nepal’s national and international commitments to child protection systems.

CZOP General Secretary Tilottam Paudel stated that feedback from the discussions will be incorporated into the report. He emphasized that the UPR report shapes a country's global image on human rights, so a coordinated approach is necessary. Paudel, also the Chairperson of Jcycn, explained that under CZOP’s leadership, parliamentary forums for child rights have been established at the federal and all seven provincial levels. Through 98 member organizations, advocacy efforts are being made to raise children’s issues from the local level to policymakers. Established in 2003 to protect children from conflict and violence, CZOP hopes this report will contribute to fulfilling national and international commitments on child rights.

Bimala Paudel, Joint Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, stressed the need to reduce major issues like child marriage, child labor, and crimes against children. Chakra Bahadur Budha, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, stated that despite the existence of many laws, policies, and regulations concerning children, implementation remains the main problem.

Savitri Kumari Sharma, a member of the National Women Commission, highlighted that women, children, young girls, the elderly, and sexual minorities are most affected. Similarly, Indradevi Dhakal, Member Secretary of the National Child Rights Council, emphasized the need for coordination among all stakeholders working on children’s issues. Dil Ayre from Save the Children stated that poverty is the root cause of problems like child marriage and child labor, and it is essential to address this.

Child representatives Abdul Ansari from Parsa and Jenisha Soti from Palpa, Lumbini province pointed out that the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and national child laws have not been implemented effectively. They noted that children from all backgrounds are not receiving their rights, that commitments remain unmet, efforts to raise the marriage age are resisted, budgeting for child rights is insufficient, and education, health, and survival rights are still not fully guaranteed.

CZOP stated that the child-centric and girl-child-centric UPR reports, developed with the support of 18 networks, over 100 civil society organizations, and 10 development partners, will be submitted on July 17.

Participants in the program called for increased investment in campaigns that promote child-friendly, nutrition-friendly, environment-friendly, and gender-friendly national pride for children. In 2021, Nepal received 233 recommendations from various countries during the UPR, of which 14 were directly related to children and more than 30 were related to both women and children. Implementation of those recommendations has also been reviewed.

According to the 2021 national census, 34.84% of Nepal’s population (51.82% boys and 48.17% girls) is under the age of 18. The proportion of girls compared to boys is steadily declining. Media reports continue to show instances of child marriage, child labor, and violence and abuse against children.

Among the currently living population, 64% were married before the age of 20. For those under 20 years of age, the figure is 34.4%. Of the 7.43 million children aged five and above, 94% are literate. In Nepal, 2.2% of the population is disabled, and 1.2% of children are living with disabilities.

According to the 2022 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, the under-five mortality rate in the past five years was 33 per 1,000 live births, and the neonatal mortality rate was 21 per 1,000 live births. Based on this, 1 out of every 30 children in Nepal dies before reaching their fifth birthday.

Child mortality has been declining over time. In 1996, it was 118 per 1,000 live births, which has now decreased to 33. Among children under five, 25% suffer from stunting, 8% from wasting, and 19% from being underweight. Additionally, 43% of children aged 6–59 months suffer from anemia.

Given Nepal's international commitments and the ratified conventions, laws, and policies concerning children, it is evident that the Government of Nepal needs to increase investment in the child sector.