Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

In a move to encourage child led media, a ‘Regional workshop for children’s media initiatives to further child rights in South and Central Asia’ was organised by Save the Children Sweden, regional programme for South and Central Asia at here on July 20.

Twenty-six children from six SAARC countries, except Bhutan, representing different NGOs participated the exhibition, giving voice to their concerns and opinions via the medium of photography, puppetry, comic strips and illustrations.

Regional manager for South and Central Asia, Save the Children Sweden, Ravi Karkara, said, “This is the first exhibition where children have been given a forum to meet, build linkages and learn from each other’s experiences in a child-led media and voice their opinions. We need to encourage media initiatives, encouraging them to use contemporary, alternative and traditional/folk media for realisation of child rights. This is the best for them to forward the child rights agenda.”

The illustrations and comic strips presented the plight and predicament of children ranging from exploitation of child labour to discriminatory treatment between sons and daughters.

Dadi D Pudumjee, managing trustee of Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, India, said, “Puppetry is one of the most popular forms of representational art. Children voicing their concerns through this medium can get immediate attention.”