Lalitpur, July 14:

Members of Para-Legal Committees from Kavre, Chitwan and Parsa today participated in a three-day-long programme on Yearly Review of Regional Para-Legal Committees, organised by UNICEF and shared their experiences and reviewed their activities.

Kauma Kafle, secretary of Methinkot VDC, Para-legal Committee, Kavre, said, “We have worked to prevent under-age marriages and convince parents about its negative impacts on the children’s growth. But after ceasefire, we are focused to create an environment for child militias to reintegrate into the families and villages.”

The role of the committee is felt necessary to help integrate child militia in the families and villages at a time when they fell unsecured to keep their company.

Saraswoti Singh, joint-secretary of Para-legal Committee Chitwan is very proud that their team have been successful to stop under-age marriage in Madi village of Chitwan completely. “We resolve the problems at the local level without the parties having to got to court, and also hold consultations among the members, advisors and other concerned authorities if necessary.”

“Despite our household responsibilities, we manage to undertake the social responsibility in our villages,” said Muna Silwal, chairperson of PLC Parsa. She added that due to open border with India, Parsa faces more cases on trafficking. While resolving these cases we have even rushed odd hours.

Bhanu Pathak, assistant children protection officer at UNICEF said, “Women members who work as volunteers were given comprehensive training on the constitution, on mediation skills, domestic and international law regarding women and children’s right.”

Pathak said that UNICEF supports 301 VDC Para-legal Committees in 15 districts in all the development regions. He added that UNICEF will expand the programme in 5 districts of Karnali zone.