Acting Prime Minister Ishwor Pokhrel stressed the need for launching social awareness campaigns for the protection of girls.

At the Second Girls Conference-2018 organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen in Kathmandu on Sunday, Acting Prime Minister and Defence Minister Pokhrel said, “Despite the various constitutional laws meant for protecting girls, sex-selective birth is still prevalent in the country. Social awareness is necessary to save girls right from the womb. Girls are married off in their teens when the legal marriage age for girls in Nepal is 20 years. This has to stop.”

He added that the government is ready to amend the Constitution and other laws and acts if there are any legal complexities regarding the protection of girls. He took the time to call on the central and provincial governments to come up with elaborative measures to curb heinous crimes against girls. He called on everyone in the nation to contribute in building a just and gender equitable society.

Tham Maya Thapa, minister of women, children and senior citizen, urged all to unite and fight against gender-based violence.

The conference received a best wishes message from British Prince Harry, in which he wished a bright future for children of Nepal.

A message from President Bidya Devi Bhandari extended best wishes for the good health and bright future of all children living at home and abroad. “We need to create a sound environment for children to facilitate their learning and good health so as to make them self-reliant and responsible citizens,” she said.

Saying reports of criminal activities against children saddened her, she in the message said, “It is our responsibility to save children from crime. Perpetrators should be punished and victims should be provided justice.” The President also called the attention of all to help make children-friendly laws.

The child protection policy in Nepal prohibits the hiring of child workers and any sort of physical torture, assault or harassment on children by words or actions. The conference kicked off with the theme of ‘competent girls: prosperous Nepal’ and is expected to help bring a substantive plan for the protection of girls.