Kathmandu: President of the Women and Social Affairs Committee under the House of Representatives, Kiran Kumar Sah, has emphasized the urgent need to eradicate child marriage through the creation of appropriate legislation. During a recent discussion involving members of the House of Representatives on the ‘Children (First Amendment) Bill-2082, organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) with UNICEF’s support, President Sah conveyed that child marriage is unimaginable and underscored the necessity of drafting a law in response to the evolving societal context.
According to National News Agency Nepal, President Sah also highlighted the inadequacies of juvenile correction centers in the country, noting that none have met established criteria, resulting in children residing in precarious conditions. He added that the bill was introduced to align with contemporary needs, focusing on the welfare and development of children.
Executive Director of the Forum, Sabin Shrestha, presented insights on the Children (First Amendment) Bill, suggesting that the bill could be strengthened with certain amendments. Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative Ram Prasad Gautam pointed out the bill’s lack of provisions addressing cyber violence against children, urging lawmakers to consider this oversight.
Lawmakers, including Ranju Kumari Jha and Pratikshya Tiwari, along with senior advocate Meera Dhungana, contributed their perspectives on the bill’s contents. They expressed that the suggestions provided during the discussion would aid in formulating amendment proposals for the legislation.