KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 14

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said additional efforts should be made regarding the education, health and protection of children to protect them from the negative effects of COVID-19.

The PM said this while extending best wishes in the virtual programme organized by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen and the National Child Rights Council today on the occasion of the 57th National Children's Day.

PM Deuba, also the chairperson of the 57th National Children's Day Main Programme Committee, said arrangements have been made for at least 20 per cent beds for children in every COVID hospital.

Noting that the Constitution of Nepal has internalized children's rights as the fundamental rights, PM Deuba said the government has formulated and implemented Acts and laws related to children. 'It is necessary for every household to be child-friendly for building a child-friendly nation by protecting the rights of the children.'

'The community, government, schools as well as the health services also should be made child-friendly. Protecting the children's rights is our collective responsibility,' the Prime Minister stated.

It has been 30 years since Nepal became a state party to the United Nations Child Rights Convention, 1989. The day when the country endorsed the Convention is commemorated as National Children's Day.

National Children's Day this year is being celebrated with various programmes under the theme 'COVID Pandemic: Protection of Child Rights is the Responsibility of All'.