SAIEVAC meeting: Historic step for South Asia’s commitment to prevent and address all forms of violence against children

Kathmandu (Nepal) 10 November 2010 - The first meeting of the governing body of the South Asia Initiative to End Violence against Children (SAIEVAC) was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the participation of the SRSG on Violence
against Children.

Marta Santos Pais congratulated the members of the Board for the historic step for South Asia’s commitment to prevent and address all forms of violence against children.

The Governing body adopted several recommendations including: SAIEVAC five year strategic plan and the ensuing annual work plan to guide the development of national level
activities.

The Governing Body meeting was followed by a Technical Workshop on Law Reform. The SRSG highlighted the critical significance of the meeting aiming at strengthening national legislation in South Asia for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children.

During her visit, the SRSG met with the Prime Minister of Nepal, the Nepali Minister on Women, Children and Social Welfare, the Secretary General of SAARC and Representatives from UN agencies and international organizations.

The SRSG also met with the Child Rights Parliamentary Committee, a cross-party committee working on the Constitution of Nepal with a view to promoting the inclusion of child rights and their safeguard from all forms of violence in the new Constitution of Nepal.

During her mission, the SRSG went on a field visit and met a paralegal committee and a child club, community based institutions for the protection of children’s rights. She also met with the group of local and international NGOs and had a special session of interaction with child representatives of SAIEVAC, whose participation and role in the regional process is well established and institutionalized.