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Child Workers in Nepal Organization

Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) working as an advocate for children's rights, being a support for child labourers, street children, children being exploited sexually, and child victims of violence. The organization's objective is to protect the rights of children in Nepal. It was established in 1987, when a group of students at Tribhuvan University investigated the conditions of children living on the street in Kathmandu, Nepal. They soon realized that there was a big issue at hand and decided to try and make a difference.^[1] As a watchdog in the field of child rights in Nepal, CWIN acts as a voice for disadvantaged and exploited children, through lobbying, campaigning and pressuring the government to protect and promote children's rights, and to end exploitation, abuse and discrimination against children.^[1]

The CWIN philosophy of working with children is summed up in its motto, “for children, with children”. It works with the Government of Nepal to develop child-friendly policies, but criticises the Government if it fails to prevent violations of children’s rights.^[2]

CWIN focuses on conducting research on the violation of children’s rights in order to persuade the Government and other decision-making bodies. The organization has a National Resource and Information Centre, which is a mine of information on children’s rights for those who need to be educated. CWIN publishes monthly e-newsletters in English and Nepali and are viewed worldwide. It also publishes reports, fact-sheets and other material in audio-visual and print formats. ^[3]

Advocacy and education has always been an important component of CWIN's work. It organises lobbying and campaigns, publishes advocacy material, and organises training and community action in furtherance of children’s rights. It runs classes for adolescent girls from deprived areas on empowerment.^[3]

Founder & Founded

CWIN originated when a group of Tribhuvan University students saw the need for advocacy of the children in Nepal.^[1] They were more specifically focused on the children's living conditions, their jobs working and their risk of these working conditions.^[1] CWIN’s founder-president was Gauri Pradhan.^[4] After a year of discussion, they founded CWIN on 1 January 1987. Since then CWIN has grown from a small local group in Kathmandu to an organisation that is now recognised internationally.

Kathmandu

CWIN's first assignment was a study of the conditions of street children in Kathmandu. This was the first of numerous academic research projects which CWIN has undertaken into various aspects of children’s rights.^[1]

In 1989 CWIN began to provide practical support for street children in Kathmandu, by opening a “common room” where they could rest and get medical help, and finding school placings for some of them. In 1995 it established a centre for street children and other children at risk in Pokhara. In 1994 CWIN opened Balika Home, a residential crisis-intervention centre, which provides support for the girl survivors of labour exploitation, sexual abuse, trafficking, domestic violence, and torture, and for girls affected by the armed conflict. In 1999 it opened a support centre at the main Kathmandu bus station for children migrating to the city.

CWIN also opened free telephone help lines for children in Kathmandu, Hetauda, Nepalgunj, Pokhara and Biratnagar so children impacted by this experience had someone to talk to and even to seek help for an escape from their situation. They also opened a hostel for school-aged children who have no roof over their head, or simply parental support.^[3]

Members

• Executive Co-ordinator: Sumnima Tuladhar Pradhan

• Chairman: Madhav Pradhan & Rakin Gautam
• Vice Chairman: Krishna Sundari Shrestha
• Secretary: Tarak Dhital
• Treasurer: Subodh Shrestha
• Members:
  • Sapana Sharma
  • Anjana Pradhan Amatya
  • Mr. Paswan
  • Rabin Ghimire
  • Dhruba Kasaju

Locations

CWIN is mainly based out of Kathmandu, where it first originated.^[1] Although this is where the organization has it's central office and a multitude of support buildings, CWIN is present in 37 out of the 75 districts in Nepal. ^[1]

Eastern Region:

• Jhapa
• Morang
• Sunsari
• Khotang

Central Region:

• Ramechhap
• Sindhuli
• Chitawan
• Dhading
• Bhaktapur
• Lalitpur
• Kathmandu
• Nuwakot
• Makwanpur
• Sindhupalchok
• Dolakha
• Kavre
• Rautahat
• Bara
• Parsa

Western Region:

• Nawalparasi
• Baglung
• Palpa
• Kaski
• Parbat
• Arghankhanchi
• Kapilbastu

Mid-western Region

• Surkhet
• Banke
• Mugu
• Dailekh
• Jajarkot
• Rolpa
• Rukum
• Salyan
• Dang

Far-western Region

• Kanchanpur
• Kailali
• Achham ^[1]

Taking Action

1987:

The first important work that CWIN did was to translate the draft UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Nepali in 1987.^[1] The translation of the document allowed the Nepali people to educate themselves of children's rights and how they should be treated.

During this time CWIN also published a magazine called "Voice of Child Workers". This magazine also happened to be the first child advocacy magazine Nepal had seen at the time.^[5]

1988:

In 1988, it organised the first South Asian Seminar-Workshop on Working Children. This provided an opportunity to discuss issues like child servitude and other urgent, child-related issues at the regional level.^[1] This also was beneficial to expand the reach of CWIN.

The organization also saw the need for children on the streets having a better education, so they begun a non-formal education program.^[1] This offered the children a better opportunity to learn.

1988 is also the year CWIN registered at the Cottage Industry Board to officially be a non-profit organization. ^[1]

1989:

CWIN's once informal education program, developed into Street Children Support and Socialization Program.^[1] The "Common Room" was created out of demand for a space for children living in Kathmandu who needed a safe spot for medical support, rest, or just simply a safe place to be.^[1] With this development, CWIN encouraged children to use this Common Room to stay off the streets. They even went as far as finding schools for them to be placed in.^[1]

1990:

CWIN's leaders were arrested when taking part in the People's Movement in 1990, and later exiled.^[1] They continued their research which was later published: "Child Workers in the Stone Quarries", and "Lost Childhood: survey study on the street children of Kathmandu".^[1]

1991:

Durring 1991, a lot happened for CWIN. It begun a National Election Campaign for Child Rights.^[1] They were not discriminatory towards any political party; they had the goal of broad commitment to better the rights of children.^[1] With this campaign, CWIN proposed 20 recommendations they believed should be brought up in the discussion of a new Constitution in Nepal. These recommendations are based off of their purpose of children's issues.^[1]

In 1991, CWIN officially becomes registered under the Social Service National Coordination Council under a child's rights and advocacy organization.^[1]

CWIN continues their research with two projects: "Child Workers in Tea Estates of Nepal" and "Trafficking in Girls in Nepal; Realities and Challenges".^[1]

1992:

Thanks to CWIN's efforts, Nepali government ratifies an act that states it will be prohibited to use child labour.^[1] The act also works towards completely eliminating child labour in Nepal.^[1]

In this year, CWIN carried out three more published research papers: "Misery Behind the Looms: child labour in carpet factories in Nepal", "A Survey Study on Child Workers in Brick Kilns of Kathmandu", and "Voices form Tea Shops".^[1]

1993:

In 1993, CWIN organised a major study programme of children at risk, such as street children, those working in different sectors, especially the carpet industry, young victims of trafficking^[6] prostitution, and children in debt bondage.

CWIN also put together three other groups to promote advocacy of children's rights: Volunteer Community Initiative, Children at Risk Networking Group, and Women Defend Pressure Group.^[1]

The organization worked to complete two other research documents: "Bonded Child Labour: Slavery exists in the Kamalya System and Child Workers in Listi, Sindhupalchowk", and "Trafficking in Young Women, Mahankal Village, Sindhupalchowk; a brief study on Untouchable Sarki Children in Naikap Bhanjyang".^[1]

1994:

In 1994, CWIN opened the CWIN Children's Home, a transit centre for children at risk: CWIN Balika. This program helps young girls reintegrate themselves back into the community.^[1] CWIN also provides them a temporary home and other services.^[1]

1995:

To continue to help assist young women coming out of labuoring, CWIN established the Self-Reliance Center.^[1] Here, the organization offers job skill training and placement support.^[1]

CWIN also called upon Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikari to talk about the issues of child labour. They submitted to him a document on their view of the elimination of child labuor. To CWIN's hopes, the Prime Minister then submitted a report of a possible solution of the issue of child labuor.^[1]

During 1995, CWIN also conducted three other case studies: "Children at Risk in Pokhara", "Situation and problems of Tempo Conductor Boys in Kathmandu", and "Child Marriage in Nepal".^[1]

1996:

During 1996, CWIN grouped together with the government and other organizations to rescue 142 Nepali girls from brothels in Mumbai and return them back to their families.

Along with this, CWIN worked hard to organize the South Asian March against Child Servitude to further advocate for children going through harsh realities.^[1]

1997:

CWIN was proud to advise and give input to put together the first Child Labuor Act in Nepal.^[1] They also conducted research on "children working as conductors in temps (three wheeler public vehicle".^[1]

1998:

CWIN was very influential in 1998. They officially became the Regional Coordinator for South Asia of the Global March Against Child Labour.^[1] To further their work towards helping children get out of the labouring, they created a Helpline Program which provided services to children at risk such as: an ambulance service, therapy, medical and legal advice, and emergency shelters for those trying to escape their current life.^[1] Along with this, CWIN created Sunrise Hostel for children who need shelter and parental care.^[1] During 1998, CWIN also created their website.^[1] To further their advocacy for children's wellbeing, the organization constructed CWIN Local Action Program to bring awareness to the harms of drugs and alcohol use.^[1]

1999:

During 1999, CWIN came to the conclusion of creating a Contact Center in Kathamandu City for children migrating into the city because of their research, "Far Away from Home".^[1] They felt it was needed for children who were alone and were headed for labouring jobs in the city. These centers were located right outside the bus terminal.

CWIN also became aware of the paedophilia and child sex tourism in Nepal. Because of this, they felt passionate enough to cooperate with the police to take down a foreign officer who was sexually abusing children and hiding it under a child care home.^[1]

2000-Present:

Since 2000, CWIN has been recognized by UNICEF as a huge advocacy leader when it comes to caring about children's rights.^[1] Children have been brought home to their families and have escaped their abuse thanks to the advocacy work CWIN has done.^[1] Although this issue is far from over, CWIN has succeeded in being influential to bettering the lives of children in Nepal.^[1]

Other works

CWIN has been assisting in various parts of nation building through its four main aspects, namely:

• CWIN has been providing support for children at risk, such as the CWIN Contact Centre in the Central Bus Terminal, Hamro Ghar: Drop-in Centre for Street Children and Children at Risk, CWIN Balika: Programme for Girls at Risk, CWIN Bal Kendra: Centre for Migrant Children at Risk, CWIN Centre for Self-Reliance, and CWIN Socialisation Centre in Pokhara.^[1]
• The approach for "Children In Conflict", which promotes Children's Participation, Emergency Support Education, Advocacy and campaigns on Children in Armed Conflict, etc., according to Bibek Chaulagain and any one call in this no 1098 for any kinds of child problems.^[1]

CWIN Current Issues

During the civil war from 1996 to 2006, 328 children (232 boys and 93 girls) were killed, and 250 children (167 boys and 83 girls) were seriously injured. Civil society raised a strong voice against violence, but the series of child killings and violence against children didn’t stop. CWIN, during this period, tried to make everyone aware, using the slogan "Children are Zones of Peace". CWIN ran training sessions and published advocacy material. CWIN also provided training for peace workers in different parts of the country, to promote the "Children are Zones of Peace" campaign.^[1]

Purpose

During the 1950's, Nepal was mainly occupied with the Tharu community because of a malaria outbreak.^[7] When the land was finally eradicated, migrants reoccupied the land.^[8] The Tharu community wasn't wealthy enough to hold their own on the land, and there was no proof they owned it so they were displaced and used as labourers.^[9] This was when the Kamlari system was put into place. Kamlari is defined as a contracted system where in this case young girls from poor families are sold into domestic slavery.^[9] The practice of Kamlari first was applied with the families being used as farmers, having them do agricultural work, then evolved to mainly the women and children used for slavery.^[9] This system was used for many years in Nepal's history. Brokers would travel to Western Nepal to purchase daughters from their families to work in the Kamlari industry.^[9] These Brokers made a mutual agreement with the families as well. The deal was typically seen as we will bring your child to work for us, and in return we will send money they have earned back to you.^[9] There was also a hidden benefit, the families sending their daughters were typically poor so sending a child also relieved them of one more child they would have to feed and provide for, thus saving them money. ^[9] Another part to the agreement was that the children were to be given an education, but this occasionally didn't occur.^[9] Kamlari was often hidden from the public eye, even though it was conducted in daylight, people in the community were completely unaware of what was truly going on.^[9]

Children's Rights

The United Nations General Assembly fostered the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959.^[10] The Declaration of the Rights of the Child demanded that every child had the right to an education, shelter, good nutrition, health care, and protection.^[10] They came to the conclusion after World War II that there was a need to protect and advocate for children around the world.^[10] The war left children in danger. UNICEF (United Nations International Child Emergency Fund) was adopted to the UN in 1953 and began a campaign to help children suffering from yaws.^[10] Yaws is an easily curable disease, but unfortunately some places around the world don't have access to penicillin which is the cure.^[10] UNICEF worked to provide children around the world with this vaccination.^[10]

Similarly to UNICEF, CWIN's mission is to protect children around the world from things that are out of their control, whether it be Kamlari practices or the spread of disease.

In 1989, the UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.^[10] This international treaty was the most adapted human rights treaty in history.^[10] The Convention on the Rights of the Child changed the way children and children's rights were viewed in the public eye.^[10]

References

External links

• JNM
• www.CWIN.org.np - Main Page
• www.CWIN.org.np - History
• https://web.archive.org/web/20100704174457/http://www.evoiceofnepal.com/

Bibek Chaulagain

Category:Child-related organizations in Nepal Category:Human rights organisations based in Nepal