Hetauda | Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City is all set to declare itself as a ‘Child Labour-Free, Child Marriage-Free, and Child-Friendly Local Governance’ area.
A special program will be held tomorrow, on the 1st of Falgun, to announce this declaration, which will require the mandatory participation of all municipal employees, teachers, parents, social activists, elected representatives, and other stakeholders. As a result, private and community schools, ward offices, health institutions, and other government services within the municipality will remain closed for the day.
Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City has completed a long process to implement child-friendly local governance. The municipality has prioritized the child-friendly campaign and conducted several programs. These include ensuring access to education for all school-aged children, eliminating child labour, preventing child marriage, effectively implementing free healthcare services, and promoting children’s rights.
Mayor Meenakumari Lama emphasized the importance of this program for the overall development of children, stating, “Our goal is to reduce incidents of child labour, child marriage, and violations of children’s rights to zero. With this declaration, children in Hetauda will grow up in a safe environment.”
The municipality has established an effective monitoring mechanism to ensure the continuity of child-friendly governance. According to Bishnu Kumari Lamichhane, Head of the Women, Children, and Inclusion Division, “The declaration of child-friendly local governance is not just an achievement; to sustain it over the long term, solid policies and structures are needed. For this, the Ward Child Rights Committees and the Municipal Child Rights Committee will continuously monitor the progress.”
She further explained that after the declaration, children in Hetauda will be able to participate in the city’s policies and plans every year. Additionally, child participation will be ensured at the ward level, helping to address their issues promptly.
The municipality has also been running special support programs for economically disadvantaged children. Currently, the municipality is providing financial assistance of 2,000 rupees per month to 27 economically disadvantaged children. According to Mayor Lama, “To promote children’s rights, the municipality plans to expand the Child Fund and offer more assistance to children in need.”
According to data from 2079, there are 50,195 children under the age of 18 in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, including 26,145 boys and 24,050 girls.
The municipality has already declared all 19 wards as ‘Child-Friendly Wards.’ After this formal declaration of child-friendly local governance, Hetauda will secure its place in the list of child-friendly local governments in Nepal.
Acknowledging the significance of the Child-Friendly Local Governance declaration program, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City has decided to close all schools, ward offices, health institutions, and other government services on the 1st of Falgun.
According to the municipal spokesperson, Sabin Nyaupane, “Since this is a historic day for children, it has been decided to close government services to ensure the full participation of the entire municipality. This will further strengthen the local government’s commitment.”