100 years of child rights advocacy

It has been a century since child rights were recognized as distinct human rights. This landmark movement began with the Geneva Declaration in 1924, the first international document dedicated to the rights of children. Prior to this, children were largely viewed as future citizens, rather than individuals entitled to specific rights. Authored by Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children, the Geneva Declaration marked the beginning of global recognition for child rights. Established in 1919, Save the Children has become a leading independent organization championing the rights of children worldwide.  

In Nepal, Save the Children has been active since 1976, focusing on areas such as health, nutrition, and education. The organization works in collaboration with children, communities, governments, and civil society to ensure the rights of children, including those with disabilities, from disadvantaged backgrounds, and from gender and sexual minorities. As of 2023, Save the Children has reached 1.06 million children in Nepal, supporting 42,954 in child protection, 306,444 in education, 122,299 in health and nutrition, 63,242 in humanitarian efforts, 47,310 in child rights governance, and 74,644 in livelihoods.  

To commemorate a century of global child rights advocacy and over four decades of work in Nepal, Save the Children recently organized an event in Kathmandu. The gathering brought together children, government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and child rights advocates. Presentations highlighted the organization’s achievements, ongoing challenges, and future strategies. Tara Chhetri, National Director of Save the Children Nepal and Bhutan, emphasized the significant progress made through decades of collective efforts while highlighting emerging challenges. She called for sustained collaboration with children and coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments to ensure child rights remain central to Nepal’s development.  

At the event, a study report titled ‘Child Rights Campaign in Nepal: Opportunities and Future Roadmap’ was launched. The report highlights the importance of strategic investment in children and fostering a new generation of child activists to sustain the achievements of Nepal’s child rights movement. Speaking at the event, Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Nawal Kishore Sah Sudi reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing child rights, especially for children requiring special protection, and including their voices in policymaking. European Union Ambassador to Nepal Véronique Lorenzo also expressed the EU’s dedication to collaborating with Save the Children, the government, and other partners to improve the lives of children.  

The event featured campaigns led by children and youth on issues such as climate and gender justice, with participation from activist groups like Kayapalat, Shift, Nepalese Youth for Climate Action, and Queer Care. These initiatives underscored the importance of youth-led advocacy in shaping a more inclusive and just society for children.  

Save the Children UK began operations in Nepal in 1976. The country ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, which led to the enactment of the Children Act, 2048 in 1992. Since then, Nepal has implemented various child-focused plans and legislation, including the Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992–1997), the first 10-Year Plan for Children (1992–2001), and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2056 in 2000. The 2015 Constitution of Nepal enshrined child rights, and the National Policy on Children was introduced in 2023. Most recently, in 2024, civil society and children led a report on Nepal’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from a child’s perspective, which was submitted to the National Planning Commission.

Save the Children’s decades-long commitment to child rights advocacy underscores its dedication to ensuring that the voices of Nepal’s children are heard and prioritized in the country’s development journey. The organization continues to address emerging challenges, foster meaningful participation by children, and collaborate with stakeholders to build a brighter future for all children in Nepal.