UNICEF Urges Nepal’s Interim Government to Prioritize Child Rights on National Children’s Day

Kathmandu: On the occasion of the National Children’s Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative to Nepal, Alice Akunga, urged Nepal’s Interim Government to prioritise child rights at the center of national priorities.

“As Nepal marks National Children’s Day on 14 September, this tragedy must serve as a powerful reminder that such incidents must never be repeated,” stated the UNICEF Representative Alice Akunga in her statement. “No child should ever lose their life or be harmed while exercising their fundamental rights.”

Her statement referred to the recent death of at least one child and injuries sustained by 19 other children during the protests in Nepal, which UNICEF said reflected a failure to protect children’s rights. Further extending UNICEF’s condolences to the family and friends grieving the loss and expressing its solidarity with all children and communities affected.

UNICEF also noted that they have been closely monitoring the impact of recent events on children’s and adolescents’ health and well-being, including their mental health. Moreover, they have also been working alongside their partners to ensure that children and their families are able to continue accessing critical social and protection services without disruption, including continued learning in safe and supportive environments.

“With the appointment of a new interim government, this is a critical moment to put child rights at the forefront of national efforts. UNICEF remains committed to working alongside the government and all partners to ensure that every child in Nepal enjoys their rights without discrimination and is supported to survive and thrive to their full potential,” further stressed Alice Akunga in her statement.