Baganaskali Rural Municipality has stepped in as a guardian for 13 orphaned children. The rural municipality has assumed guardianship of the children and has been providing them with an educational incentive allowance of Rs. 1,000 per month.
According to Rural Municipality Chairperson Saraswati Darlami Chidi, the program was launched with the objective of ensuring that children who may otherwise be deprived of education due to financial hardship or family problems remain in school and have a secure future.
She stated that the initiative is being implemented under the municipality’s child-friendly campaign to ensure that orphaned children feel supported by the state and society, while prioritizing the protection of child rights and their overall development.
Baganaskali Rural Municipality is regarded as one of the leading local governments in the province in ensuring children’s rights. Owing to its continuous efforts in child rights protection, child participation, education, health, nutrition, safety, and the creation of a child-friendly environment, the municipality was declared the first child-friendly local government in Lumbini Province on March 27, 2021.
The concept of child-friendly local governance places children at the center of development. Child-friendly local governance refers to a system in which the interests of children are prioritized during the formulation of local policies, plans, budgets, and programs. According to Narayan Timilsina, Child-Friendly Focal Person of Baganaskali Rural Municipality, local governments are required to fulfill 51 indicators related to education, health, protection, participation, and a safe environment to achieve this status.
According to Timilsina, the municipality has achieved notable progress in areas such as child rights protection, birth registration, school enrollment, reduction of child marriage, control of child labor, access to health services, improved nutrition, child participation, and capacity development.
Before the launch of the child-friendly campaign, awareness of child rights was relatively low in some areas of the municipality. Challenges included children being out of school, delays in birth registration, child marriage, and child labor. However, Timilsina noted that community attitudes have gradually changed since child-friendly local governance was implemented as a campaign.
At present, most children have access to schooling, and the birth registration rate has increased significantly. Communities themselves have become more aware and proactive against child marriage and child labor. Schools have established child-friendly learning environments, while child clubs provide children with opportunities to express their views and participate in decision-making processes.
The health and nutritional status of children has also improved. Programs related to immunization, nutrition, and sanitation have contributed to better child health. According to Timilsina, the expansion of safe drinking water, toilets, playgrounds, and child-friendly infrastructure has made daily life easier for children.
Rural Municipality Vice-Chairperson Hariprasad Pathak stated that children are not only the present but also the foundation of the municipality’s future. Therefore, the municipality remains committed to ensuring equal access to education, health, safety, and opportunities for all children. According to him, the guardianship program for orphaned children is one example of this commitment.