KATHMANDU: Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare will amend the Children Act 1992 for making it more righteous towards the development of children.

Laxmi Tripathi, under secretary, children division, MoWCSW, said they were amending the old provisions on the basis of Child Rights Convention.

As per the CRC, the state should be obliged to protect children’s rights to help meet their basic needs and to help create opportunities for them to reach their full potential.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, he said the 1992 Act largely focused on the welfare and was unable to address children issues. “It’s the need of the hour to amend the act.” He added that they were modifying each and every provision that seems discriminatory towards children and would make it child-friendly.

Tripathi said that every child should have the right for survival in a favourable environment.

The ministry has already drafted the amended act and will send the draft to line ministries for more inputs within this fiscal year, added Tripathi.

The new bill would be based

on four principles CRC: non-discrimination, devotion to the

best interests of the child,

the right to life, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child.

“Every right spelt out in CRC is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child,” said Tripathi, adding that the bill would protect children’s rights by setting standards in health care, education, and legal, civil and social service.