KATHMANDU: Achievements of Nepal's child rights movements have been documented in a book 'Nepalma Bal Adhikar' (Child Rights in Nepal).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare CP Mainali launched the book amid a function in Kathmandu today.

The Children and Women in Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH), a non-government organisation working for rights of children for over two decades, has published the book.

Speaking at the function, DPM Mainali said the government authorities, national and international non-government organisations should work together for protection and promotion of child rights.

He also underscored the need to combat existing challenges to the child rights movement in order to achieve greater targets.

"Formulation of laws is very significant; but what is more significant than that is implementation of those laws," the DPM said.

Explaining that children were worst-hit in the April-May earthquakes, Mainali added that the ongoing protest programmes in various parts of the nation including Tarai-Madhes have seriously violated basic rights of children.

Speaking at the function, Chairperson of the Children, Women, Senior Citizens and Social Welfare Committee of the Parliament, Ranju Jha, said many children were separated from their families with false assurances of education or other facilities. She urged the government to control such activities more effectively.

The lawmaker added that the Constitution promulgated recently has excellent provisions for rights of children and the state should make appropriate child-friendly laws at the earliest to implement the provisions.

"The Constitution has guaranteed all rights," she said, "Let us establish Nepal as a model nation in the sector of child rights by formulating needed child-friendly laws."

Right activists Gauri Pradhan, Krishna Subedi, Bijaya Sainju and Kumar Bhattarai, Central Child Welfare Board Executive Director Tarak Dhital and DIG Mingmar Lama, among others had discussed achievements and challenges of child rights movement in Nepal.

As many as 45 campaigners, activists and stakeholders in the newly published book have discussed progresses Nepal made in the child rights sector in last 25 years, challenges faced and next steps needed.

Editor of the book, Jyotilal Ban, said the publishers studied various issues and activities of child rights for last one and half years for the book.

Speakers of the function had also recognised that the book holds a significant place in Nepal's child rights history as it has included all issues and events of Nepali child rights movement.