CWIN: A 15-Year Retrospective

1987: Establishment. CWIN translated the draft UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Nepali and made people aware about the basic rights of the child through its advocacy programme. Publication of 'Voice of Child Workers' the first magazine in Nepal dedicated for the rights of child and child labour was started.

1988: In order to have a concrete interaction and exchange of thoughts and to strengthen and empower the rights of the child movement, CWIN organised the First South Asian Seminar-Workshop on Working Children. This provided a very good opportunity to discuss on the issues like child servitude, socio-economic slavery, the rights of the child, violations of children's human rights and other urgent child-related issues at the regional level. The seminar concluded with the formation of South Asian Forum on the Rights of the Child, the first South Asian networking group on the rights of the child.

1989: CWIN actively participated in the pro-democracy movement and played a very significant role in information dissemination and gaining international support for and solidarity in the people's movement. In the same year, the Street Children Support and Socialisation Programme, popularly known as the COMMON ROOM, was established for the first time in Nepal.

1990: CWIN organised several social and political awareness programmes in order to incorporate the basic rights of the child into the new Constitution and submitted a 10-point programme to the then Constitution Recommendation Commission. Similarly, several campaigns, including a public signature campaign, were organised to appeal to HMG/Nepal to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. CWIN had also started the first Information & Documentation Programme on children in Nepal.

1991: During the first general election after the pro-democracy movement, CWIN organised a national level voters' awareness programme in order to bring the issues of children onto political agenda. During the political awareness programme, a 10-point programme on the rights of the child was advocated throughout the country. CWIN Introduced the Education Support Programme (CWIN-ESP) for children living and working in high risk conditions. Published first ever research-based book on trafficking in Girls in Nepal. Publication of 'Bal Sarokar', a bi-monthly newsletter of CWIN in Nepali was also started in the same year.

1992: the elected members of parliament were greeted and congratulated on their success in the election and urged to fulfill their commitment made during the election period. They were also briefed about the situation and problems of children and about Nepal's commitment to the UN/CRC. The MPs were also briefed about the draft Children's Act 1992, which CWIN had helped to prepare, and were urged to adopt it. In the same year, CWIN undertook a comprehensive action survey-research on the situation and problem of child labour in the carpet factories. Similarly, a national exhibition on child rights, survey on child labour in Tea Estates and a sampling survey on bonded child labour were also undertaken

1993: CWIN organised a major study programme on children at risk, such as street children, those working in different sectors, young victims of trafficking and prostitution, children in the squats, children in jails, children in debt bondage, etc. The reports were published to make the public aware of the situation and to urge HMG/Nepal to provide welfare, rehabilitation and empowerment for the victims. In the same year, CWIN played a significant role for the establishment of Children at Risk Net-Working Group (CAR-NWG), an alliance of NGOs working for the children living in the most difficult circumstances.

A national campaign on the rights of carpet children and for the implementation of the CRC and Children's Act 1992 was also focused in 1993. The CWIN advocacy programme on the rights of the Carpet Children, which included the conception of the MODEL CARPET FACTORY, was able to gain momentum and to create national and international concern on the rights of high risk children in Nepal. CWIN actively participated in the formation of the WOMEN DEFEND PRESSURE GROUP and helped prepare the Sankalpa Prastab (memorandum) against the rape, trafficking of girls and child marriage in the House of Representatives. This year, CWIN introduced literacy programmes for working children in Tea Estates in eastern Nepal and risk areas for girl trafficking.

1994: This year NGOs and Government focused their activities on the welfare, development and rehabilitation of children living and working in high risk conditions. CWIN actively participated in the activities of the 'Children at Risk Networking Group' (CAR-NWG). Several political fora were also organised during the recently held mid-term election to ensure the rights of the child in Nepal. A special political forum of the representatives of the national political parties was brought into the Political Interaction Forum to make their public commitment on the rights of the child in Nepal. CWIN also introduced the CWIN Children's Home, a transit centre for children at risk; BALIKA, a programme for girl children at risk; and the Social Marketing Programme, a fund raising initiative.
1995: CWIN introduced another transit home, CWIN Centre for Girl Children at Risk, CWIN Skill Education and Training Programme for Children at Risk and a new Socialisation Centre for Street Children and Children at Risk in Pokhara, Kaski district.. Advocacy of rights of the child through teachers, social workers and trade unions was initiated. As a part of joint Human Rights Education programme, CWIN ran a Radio Education Programme on child rights. CWIN also conducted a survey-research on urban Domestic Child Labour in the Kathmandu Valley. Similarly, CWIN initiated the formation of the National Labour Academy with several Trade Unions and HR organisations of Nepal.

1996: CWIN organised the South Asian Child Workers' March against child servitude. Conducted a case-study based survey on child marriage and a study on rape of minors in Nepal. CWIN was nominated for the National Steering Committee on Elimination of Child Labour. CWIN was nominated for the National High Level Task Force On the Child Development. This year, CWIN participated in a joint effort to bring back 130 minor Nepali girls who were rescued from the Bombay Brothels, India and launched Campaign Against the Trafficking in Girls. Published documentation of the repatriation of survivors of trafficking entitled " Back Home from Brothels".

CWIN filed a first case against child servitude in the court in favour of a tortured domestic child worker.

1997: CWIN published the state of the rights of the child in Nepal. Several action research were conducted in the 'Tempo Conductor Child Labour in Nepal', 'Unfair and Exploitative Labour Relations', 'Up-dating Situation and Problem of Street Children' and 'Juvenile Justice in Nepal: A Case Study'. Similarly a number of advocacy and training programmes were conducted in the field of the rights of the child and child labour.

1998: In this year, CWIN successfully accomplished its role as a national co-ordinator of the Global March against Child Labour with a close co-operation of like minded people and groups from trade unions, students' unions, teachers' organizations, NGOs, Human Rights Organizations, GOs, police, political parties and the Members of the Parliaments (MPs). The Global March event in Nepal were regarded as one of the most successful and effective events in the world. In this scenario, the year 1998 was one another breakthrough in the history of the rights of the child movement in Nepal.

CWIN established its central office consisting of information centre, training centre, administrative centre and CWIN help line. It has also established a CWIN Hostel for school going children. In this year CWIN concentrated its work in the monitoring of the CRC and promoting the children's participation rights. On the occasion of the International Child Rights Day and CWIN's 12th Anniversary, CWIN launched a CWIN Help-Line programme to help protect children at risk through emergency relief and counseling services. This year to ensure child participation in the child rights movement, CWIN formed Child Rights Forums in 10 districts. Similarly, CWIN launched its website (http://www.cwin-nepal.org) with comprehensive information about CWIN movement and child rights issues.

1999: CWIN introduced some innovative and action-based programmes to continue its efforts "for children, with children". On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of International Child Rights Day and 13th CWIN anniversary, CWIN established a Blood Bank for children at risk. CWIN also established a Contact Centre for migrant children at risk and completed survey-research on "Situation Analysis of Trafficking", 'Migrant Child Labour", and "Child Labour in Biri Industry". This year, CWIN also started "CWIN Local Action" a knowledge-based programme against alcohol and drug use.

Similarly, CWIN organised some important activities such as election campaign on the rights of children, lobbying and pressure works against child sex abuse and paedophiles followed by legal action for the protection of the rights of child victims. Similarly, CWIN's advocacy programme was also focussed for the adoption of the ILO Convention on the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour, lobbying for the adoption of Child Labour Bill in the parliament, and focussed discussion on the role of education for the reduction of burden of child labour. As a part of the broader human rights movement in Nepal, CWIN actively particiapted in the fact-finding mission about several incidents of human rights violations regarding CPN(Maoist) initiated Janayddha (People's War), pressure programmes for the formation of already announced "Human Rights Commission" and formation of Alliance for Human Rights and Social Justice (ALLIANCE).

2000: The beginning of the year 2000 was a rewarding moment for CWIN. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, globally recognised and honoured CWIN as one of the world's leaders working for the best interest of children, while announcing the names of 52 personalities of the world in State of the World's Children 2000.

Under the community support programme, CWIN worked with volunteer groups and community in construction of school buildings in Kalleri village of Dhading district and Kolma village of Syangja district. CWIN has completed 17 such projects in the needy areas in different parts of the country since 1993. In this year, CWIN focused its campaign on "Ending Child Labour Through Meaningful Education" CWIN conducted various trainings, orientations and workshops on the theme of meaningful education. A street drama has been also prepared and performed at various schools and public places focusing on the importance of meaningful education. Similarly, CWIN conducted 50 different trainings on various issues of child rights in different districts of Nepal.

In addition, CWIN organised a National Workshop on Young People's Participation Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation. To promote children's participation, CWIN published a booklet entitled " Our Rights, Our Responsibilities". CWIN also published a Briefing Kit on the "Role of District Child Welfare Boards". Furthermore, on the occasion of 11th International Child Rights Day, CWIN and Central Child Welfare Board jointly organised a Review Workshop on "Decade of Ratification of UN CRC: Implementation and Achievements of Our Commitment". A report on "Decade of Ratification of UN CRC: Implementation and Achievements of Our Commitment" was also presented at the workshop. CWIN also released a "small book" to popularize UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the same occasion. The book has been cited as the smallest book of Nepal. This year, CWIN also organised a National Workshop and Training on "Medico Psycho-social Counseling for Sexually Abused and Exploited Children and Youth" in cooperation with UNESCAP and World Education Nepal.

2001: In this year CWIN continued its participated in the Global Campaign for Education as a continuation of the Global March Against Child Labour Movement. In addition, CWIN and Global March jointly launched the Day to Stop Child Trafficking on 23 August 2001 in Kathmandu. UN also marks 23 August as Day to Stop Child Trafficking. Similarly, CWIN initiated a Campaign on Tempo Conductor Children jointly with the traffic police, trade unions, entrepreneurs and concerned governmental bodies. The campaign on Child labourers working on tempoes has formed a joint working committee comprising of CWIN, SWC, the Traffic Police, the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Children, GEFONT, Trade Union Congress, Micro Bus Business Association, Safa Tempo Business Association and Gas Transportation Business Federation.

CWIN launched a month long campaign in Nepal May on the occasion May Day, the International Workers' Day against the exploitation of domestic child labourers. As a part of the campaign, a memorandum was presented to the National Human Rights Commission requesting for the introduction of a code of conduct among civil servants. An email and letter campaign was launched appealing to NGOs and INGOs working on children's issues to introduce a code of conduct for their staff to help put an end to child labour exploitation. Furthermore, former domestic child labourers submitted an appeal to the Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare urging to put an end to exploitation of children. CWIN joined hands with the ILO's Kathmandu Office to generate public awareness on Worst Forms of Child Labour by setting up 100 hoarding boards in 15 districts of Nepal.

Furthermore, on the occasion of the 12th International Child Rights Day, CWIN and the Central Child Welfare Board jointly organised a National Workshop on "Role of Child Care Centres on Protection Child Rights." CWIN also released a book on the "Management of Children's Homes" which CWIN initiated for the national Children's Home Net in order to ensure the protection of children's rights in child care homes. Similarly, the occasion of 34th Children's Day, a unique event, the Children's Mural on Cloth on the theme of Say Yes for children was organized. 150 children coming from different working backgrounds, physically challenged children and school children took part in the mural by drawing paintings on 10 main themes of the Say Yes for Children Campaign. CWIN also collected pledge forms from the public on Say Yes for Children.

Two young people from CWIN attended the 2nd World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation Against Children held in Yokohama, Japan in December 2001. To ensure children's views in the National Plans of action against trafficking, CWIN organised a National Consultative Workshop with Children on the Review of the National Plans of Action Against Trafficking in Children & Their Commercial Sexual Exploitation in collaboration with the ILO's Kathmandu Office. Children from 21 districts participated in this workshop. Child participants came up with 25 different suggestions for the national plans of action to be incorporated in the review of the national plans of action, which had been taking place.

To celebrate the 12th International Child Rights Day, CWIN and Central Child Welfare Board (CCWB) jointly organised a national workshop on the Role of Child Care Homes in the Protection of Child Rights. Forty-five Child Care Homes from 16 districts took part in the workshop. The workshop concluded with the formation of a national network of childcare homes entitled "Children's Home Net" under the convenorship of CWIN. A seven-member core-committee was formed to further formulate strategic planning of the network.
CWIN, in association with SCN, organised a unique event of a Children's Mural on Cloth on the theme of Say Yes for children on the occasion of the 34th National Children's Day in Bhadra 4. 150 children coming from different working backgrounds, physically challenged children and school children took part in the mural by drawing paintings on the 10 main themes of the Say Yes for Children Campaign. CWIN also collected pledge forms from the public on Say Yes for Children. Similarly, CWIN organised another unique programme entitled "Saha Srijana" to promote children's participation in literature for children. The poets and writers created literature on the paintings made by children on various topics. This new initiative has given the poets and children a chance to understand each other's aspirations and art.

On the occasion of the 12th International Child Rights Day and CWIN Day, CWIN organised various programmes with children at risk. On 19 November, a Street Children's Friendly Football Match was organised among children living on the streets. Similarly, Habitat International Coalition (HIC) and CWIN jointly organised a Regional Workshop on Children's Housing Rights in Kathmandu from 22-23 November.

CWIN, in collaboration with UNICEF-Nepal, organised a stage show to celebrate MEENA Day with the launching of the 14th episode of MEENA on Domestic Child labour and to sensitize the public on the issues of girls through the MEENA cartoon series.
This year, CWIN released a research report on "Alcohol and Drug Use in Nepal: With Reference to Children" under CWIN Local Action Programme and carried out action research on child sex abuse in Nepal with the aim of identifying the magnitude of sexual abuse amongst school children and children in especially difficult circumstances.

This year, CWIN actively involved itself in lobbying for the formulation of policy, in preparation of a rights based approach paper in planning for children in the 10th five year plan. CWIN conducted 60 different training and orientation programmes which were organised during this period for important stakeholders like teachers, political party members, police officers, trade unionists, social workers, students, journalists, government workers, etc to build on human resource development in the field of child rights. In addition, a three day training workshop was organized on child rights and child participation for teachers and facilitators of child clubs in the Sunsari and Morang districts. In addition, CWIN also organised a follow-up training to the National Workshop and Training on "Medico Psycho-social Counselling for Sexually Abused and Exploited Children and Youths" in cooperation with UNESCAP.
CWIN this year was involved in the peace talks aimed at finding solutions for the arm conflict through the human rights alliances such as the Peoples Committee for Peace-Dialogue (Janastariya Santi-Barta Samiti). As a member of the human rights community, CWIN is actively involved in defending human rights in the country. CWIN has been raising its concerns for the protection of fundamental rights and peace for children.

2002: 15th Anniversary of CWIN. Production of musical album to popularize children's issues through popular songs. CWIN participated in national campaign on Peace for Children, together with Bal Chetna Samuha and Milijuli Nepal, collected 100,000 signatures of children and submitted to the Prime Minister with an appeal to restore peace for children. CWIN has been playing role of facilitating organization on child rights issues for joint action and solidarity and for human resource development.

For the concerted efforts to strengthen child rights issues, CWIN this year initiated and facilitated Street-Net, a network of NGOs working with street children; Child Home-Net, a network of child care homes in Nepal, Community-Net, a network of community organizations and community police. This year, CWIN published Children's Forum in children's literary magazines, Muna and Sunkeshra.

Similarly, CWIN and Dalit Jagaran Manch jointly organized a national meeting on the rights of Children of Dalit (oppressed) Community, followed by campaign against social discrimination of children. This year, CWIN in collaboration with AHURA Bhutan, Lumanti and HIC organized a children's workshop on Housing Rights and Children. Children' Declaration from the workshop was presented in the UNGASS this year by Bhutanese refugee girl. CWIN also organized a meeting with representatives of political parties to influence political parties and their commitment on children in their election manifesto. This year, CWIN published research report on Alcohol and Drug Use Among Street Children in Nepal. Carried out research on Glue Sniffing Among Street Children in Nepal.

To address the current burning issue of children in conflict, CWIN published a book on Effect of Armed Conflict on Children in Nepali, written by Mr. Gauri Pradhan.

In addition, CWIN has facilitated in formation of 255 Child Rights Forums in 23 districts, for the promotion of children's right to participation. These forums have provided platform for 37,367 children for child rights.