Minister Vadi Announces Goal to Make Nepal Free of Street Children Within Next Fiscal Year

Kathmandu. Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Social Security Sita Vadi has stated that the goal is to make Nepal a country free of street children within the next fiscal year. 

She made this announcement on Monday while responding to questions raised by members of the National Assembly on the ministry's annual program and budget. 

Minister Vadi informed that the 'Street Children Special Protection Directive, 2082' has been approved for the protection of street children. She stated that the immediate rescue, temporary protection, treatment, psychosocial counseling, and family reunification of children on the streets will be intensified in coordination with the National Child Rights Council, local levels, Nepal Police, and various organizations. Mentioning that the scope of the ministry's work has expanded, Minister Vadi said that the issues of Dalits, Madhesis, Muslims, Tharus, Indigenous Nationalities, and marginalized communities are now prioritized. 

Speaking in Parliament, she said, 'With the objective of building an inclusive, safe, and dignified society, the protection and empowerment of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and gender and sexual minorities have been placed at the center of the budget.' 

For senior citizens, the government has put forward a program to establish 50 day service centers in local levels. Minister Vadi clarified that the ministry will facilitate through the necessary procedures by selecting locations based on the partnership and needs of the local levels. 

Similarly, she also informed that a building for the Mangala Sahana Rehabilitation Center will be constructed in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, for the safe housing and rehabilitation of women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence. Currently, this center is operating on a temporary basis.