Child Support Programme for Peace

A project to strengthen Nepali children's ability to resist pressure to join the Maoist militias.

Description

The programme has been developed to support child conflict victims using a rights-based approach, for example through focusing on educational rights. The programme has also been designed to raise awareness among high school students of children’s rights in armed conflict and nonviolent means of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Furthermore, the programme has been developed to put pressure on both conflicting parties to respect children’s rights and not cause them any harm.

Aims / Objectives

The aims of the initiative are to:

• protect children from the impacts of the Maoist conflict and develop children as a zone of peace;
• provide educational support to the child conflict victims and raise their awareness for educational rights;
• pressure both of the conflicting parties not to cause any harm to the children and ensure that they respect children’s rights.
  
  

How it is Articulated

The organisation has been providing educational materials, admission and school fees to the child conflict victims. It has also been providing training to the high school students in children’s rights in armed conflict, and training workshops on conflict transformation and peacebuilding.

Achievements / Learning Points

55 child conflict victims have made progress because of educational support. They have been receiving assistance with admission fees, monthly fees, stationary and books amongst other things.

The training programmes for children’s rights have been implemented with students in five high schools in five VDCs. They have gradually developed themselves and now debate with the rebels, rejecting their pressure to become involved with the militias. The Maoists have stopped installing bunkers in the schools.

Geographical Area of Operation

Five VDCs of Sindhupalchok District.

Funding Resources

INSEC.

Stories

One child directly refused to join the Maoist militias in Thakure in Sindhupalchok where the programme is being implemented.

Associated Organisations

Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC).