Hjermann last week visited Nepal to share experiences with the Norwegian model for protecting children’s rights. He met with key politicians, including the prime minister’s office, party leaders, NGO’s, and children from various backgrounds. He focused on the need to form an independent, autonomous protection mechanism for children’s rights.
Half of Nepal’s population are under 18 years old, and many of them are deprived of access to basic human rights. Violence in the home and in schools, abuse, poverty and harassment affect thousands of children daily.
Concluding his visit, Hjermann emphasized the need to establish an independent mechanism to protect the rights of children.
“Children’s rights are not attended to sufficiently. It would be to the benefit of the whole nation to have a mechanism that independently could voice the concerns of the children, and make sure national legislation and governance structures embraces children’s rights fully,” said Hjermann.
Highlighting the need for such a mechanism is especially important now as Nepal’s new Constitution is being drafted. It remains an open question to whether the constitution explicitly will incorporate the rights of children.
Mr. Hjermann spent hours listening to issues raised by children and was told that a safe and secure childhood perhaps is the most crucial for Nepali children today. The responsibility for improving the situation lies with adults, but Hjermann firmly believes in child participation in forming rights and policies.
“Many adults unwittingly compromise the rights of children when making policies that affect them. They simply don’t now how it is to be a child today. Therefore, I have encouraged all children I’ve met during my visit to continue to voice their issues and to participate in forming their future. And with the aid of an independent champion, their concerns can be voiced properly.”
Norway was the first country in the world to establish an independent protector for children’s rights, 30 years ago. Now, more than 60 countries have adopted some form of mechanism to oversee children’s rights.
“My aim is not to export the Norwegian model, but promote experiences and lessons learned so that other countries are better equipped when forming their own mechanisms,” says Hjermann.