Nepal Ready to Amend Constitution for Girl Child Protection

Nepal Government is ready to amend the Constitution and laws for protection of girls, says Nepal’s Acting Prime Minister Ishwor Pokhrel.

Pokhrel was speaking on the side-lines of the Second Girls Conference-2018 organized by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen in Kathmandu on September 30, 2018.

“Despite the various constitutional laws meant for protecting girls, sex-selective birth is still prevalent in the country. Social awareness is necessary to save girls right from the womb. Girls are married off in their teens when the legal marriage age for girls in Nepal is 20 years. This has to stop,” says Ishwor Pokhrel.

He went on to say that the government will be ready to make any changes to the laws that pose legal complexities to the protection of girls.

In this regard, he called on the central and provincial governments to come up with collaborative measures to curb crimes against girls.

Meanwhile, Minister Tham Maya Thapa urged on the need for fight against gender-based violence.

British Prince Harry conveyed his message to the conference wishing the children of Nepal a bright future.

“We need to create a sound environment for children to facilitate their learning and good health so as to make them self-reliant and responsible citizens,” said President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

The President also called for children-friendly policies and laws.

The conference was held under the theme ‘competent girls: prosperous Nepal’ and aims to introduce a substantial plan to protect girls.