Juvenile bench opened at Patan Court

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has established a juvenile bench in the Patan District Court, a search and investigation centre for missing children at Bhrikuti Mandap and established fund for rescuing kidnapped children.

Speaking at a programme to mark the 17th International Children Rights Day, Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Urmila Aryal said the rising incident of kidnapping of children was a created a serious concern to the Ministry.

The centre will coordinate the family and cooperate with to search the missing children, help rescue kidnapped children and the rescue fund will be used to rehabilitate children affected by the conflict and other social problems,"said the Minister.

With the motto of 'Children's security and honour is a base for the civilised and prosperous society'She said the Ministry was deeply concerned of the continued recruitment of children by the Maoists in their militia, thus violating human rights. Children under 18 are banned by law to be recruited in the Nepal Army as well as in any armed forces or groups.

Deepak Raj Sapkota, acting director of Central Child Welfare Board, highlighted the situation of children, opportunities and challenges. He said the Board and the Ministry had planned to establish juvenile bench in 12 districts by the end of the year.He said that the Ministry had also allocated Rs 25,000 to every VDC for girls' education.

Punya Prasad Neupane, secretary at the Ministry said the rescue fund would be utilised on finding missing children as well as in their rehabilitation and reintegration with families. "We are still discussing with various institutions for raising the rescue fund and on its utilisation.

Already Rs 89,808 have been collected in the rescue fund from various institutions and social workers, the ministry has opened an account (No 7958040) in Nepal Investment Bank for those who want to help.Neupane also said that they were also taking actions against children homes and shelters where children were physically and psychologically tortured and the ministry officials would make surprise inspections at the children's homes.

More than 400 children shelter homes and about 300 children's homes do not have adequate facilities to cater to the need of the children, he said, and added that the government would monitor their activities and punish those involved in children exploitation.

According to a data of CCWB, there are more than 26,000 child labours, 8,847 children club established and 88 per cent children under five years of age go to the school. There is no data on the special protection and shelter given to the children.At the programme, the Minister also presented appreciation letters to organisation and social helping in raising fund.