“We Want to Be Heard” Children Call for Greater Recognition and Meaningful Participation

World Children’s Day marks the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) adoption anniversary. This year, the theme of ‘My Day, My Rights’, focuses on listening to children to understand their lived experiences and to join them in advocating for their rights to protection, education, and participation (Unicef 2025).

Nepal has been a state party to the UNCRC since 1990, demonstrating its’ commitment to uphold the child rights dimensions of survival, protection, development and participation, through the constitution and policy provision. The Constitution of Nepal guarantees child rights as fundamental right with a focus relating to identity, education, health, protection and participation on the decisions related to children. The Act Relating to Children 2018 and the National Children’s Policy 2024 both support a child friendly society that prioritizes on holistic development of children and further emphasis the strengthening of child protection systems and mechanisms. `

Despite the strong commitments and policies, children in Nepal still face multiple challenges such as child marriage, child labour, malnutrition and exposure to online violence and are calling for more to be done. During the recent consultation on 17th November, children from across the country highlighted the need for more vibrant and robust systems and programmes to protect them from child marriage, child labour and falling into the traps of substance use and online abuse. They further emphasised; ‘they should be heard’, and that ‘children’s issues should always be a priority, even in times of adversities.’ They also called for greater monitoring of the Government’s initiatives to create child friendly communities.

On World Children’s Day, Joining Forces in Nepal calls for greater ownership, stronger coalitions, and intentional efforts to listen to children, centre their agency, and ensure their meaningful participation. This includes building a culture where children are genuinely heard and engaged in issues that directly and indirectly affect their lives.

Together with children, Joining Forces envisions a resilient, inclusive, and child-friendly Nepal, where every child is safe, heard, and empowered to thrive.

On behalf of Joining Forces Nepal

ChildFund Japan, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, Terre des Hommes, World Vision