Children Urge Local Representatives for Action Against Drug Abuse and Child Marriage in Tikapur

Kailali. Children of Tikapur have demanded that local representatives work effectively to reduce drug abuse, trafficking, and child marriage.

In the 'Children Dialogue with People's Representatives' program, children demanded that since Tikapur is a municipality bordering India, children are increasingly falling prey to drugs, and therefore, effective measures should be taken to curb this.

Prithambahadur Tamatta, a boy from Tikapur Municipality-8, demanded effective initiatives to reduce drug abuse among his peers. "Since it is close to the border, there is no problem crossing back and forth. Some friends go to India and come back after consuming drugs there," he said. "The local municipality should provide playgrounds and sports equipment to keep children engaged. There should also be extracurricular activities in schools. The local government should bring a budget prioritizing children."

Girl Isha Saud pointed out that although there is a rule prohibiting the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools, tobacco products are being sold near the entrance of schools here. "Students come to class after going out to shops during school hours and consuming tobacco products and drugs, and then sleep in class," she said. "Do we feel safe in the classroom then? We are afraid of friends who have fallen into addiction."

Rabinbhadur Ghartimagar, a boy from Tikapur-7, demanded that transformation classes be conducted in every community to prevent drug abuse and child marriage. "Most children here have parents working in India for employment, and some have no parents at all," he said. "No one is monitoring children who are managing their households on their own. Many are also going to India for marriage before reaching the age. Please make a plan to stop child marriage."

Girl Ankita Tamatta complained that there is no sickroom or treatment facility in school for children who fall ill. "When friends get sick, other friends have to take care of them. We ourselves put them in an auto and take them home, which disrupts our studies," she said. "A separate teacher seems necessary for students facing problems."

Girl Arpana Chaudhary emphasized the need for the enactment and effective implementation of laws that support the prevention of child marriage both policy-wise and practically, as child marriage is having a negative impact on society. Boy Arun Tamatta requested the concerned bodies to pay attention to the increasing dropout rate from school due to drug abuse and child marriage. "You have provided free education up to class 8. Please make it free up to class 10," he said. "There is a high risk of disadvantaged children going down the wrong path. We request you to bring educational programs to support them."

They demanded that the local municipality engage children in creative activities and provide practical education for children and parents on holidays. The Child Prosperity for Partnership and Integrated Development Program, supported by World Vision International Nepal and organized by Child Welfare Association Tikapur, is working in the area of child prosperity.

Radhika Giri, Program Coordinator of Child Welfare Association, said that they have been supporting the protection and security of children at risk to increase access to education for children in five municipalities of Kailali. "We are working to increase child participation, prevent child marriage, and raise awareness against child labor, violence, and abuse," she said. "Local municipalities should increase investment to create a child-friendly environment. We are also ready to cooperate."

Mangal Shah, District Coordinator of World Vision, stated that they are supporting child-friendly and nutrition-friendly local governance in Kailali and Kanchanpur, and suggested prioritizing work to make the municipalities child-friendly and nutrition-friendly, assuring their cooperation.

Yam Bahadur Shah, In-charge of Dhansinghpur Health Post, said that as mental health problems are increasing among adolescents, they provide mental health education in every school one day a month. "This needs to be continued. Parents, schools, and the government all need to be serious about the mental health problems seen in adolescence," he said. "If schools have not only water and sanitation but also school nurses, these problems will be solved."

Dirghabahadur Thakkulla, Ward Chairman of Tikapur-8, said that investment in children needs to be increased for a beautiful society tomorrow, and the ward office and local representatives are aware of this. "We are organizing Ward Cup competitions at the ward level every year to keep children engaged. We are prioritizing the improvement of playgrounds in all schools," he said. "We are trying to keep youth engaged in sports. We are also carrying out awareness activities to reduce child marriage."

Acting Mayor Rambahadur Nagarchi said that the discussion with children is important as preparations are underway to bring the budget for the next year. "We will try to include the issues raised by you in the budget," he said. "The country will be good only if children are good, so children's education and health are our priority."