KATHMANDU: Stakeholders and experts have called for stronger enforcement of existing laws to curb child domestic labour, urging local governments to play a proactive role in eliminating the practice and ensuring child-friendly governance.
Speaking at a programme organised on Wednesday by Children-Women in Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH) to release a report titled Life as Child Domestic Workers in Kathmandu, participants stressed that while laws exist, their implementation remains weak.
CWISH founder chairperson Shanti Adhikari said local governments hold a “serious responsibility” in ending child domestic labour, noting that enforcement gaps have hindered progress.
National Child Rights Council member secretary Indradevi Dhakal highlighted ongoing initiatives such as child-friendly local governance, declarations of child-labour-free municipalities, and other measures aimed at protecting children.
Similarly, National Planning Commission director Shivanandan Paudel said local authorities must be more robust and efficient in controlling child labour, which is prohibited by law. He emphasised that education and employment opportunities should be prioritised to prevent children from entering domestic work.
The report shared findings on the hidden realities of child domestic labour, the factors driving children into such work, and the urgent need for policy and programme interventions.
CWISH stated that 40 participants attended the event, including representatives from the National Planning Commission, the National Child Rights Council, the Ministry of Education, civil society, child rights networks, schoolteachers, the media, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and child rights experts.
According to the ILO, domestic child labour is defined as children working in an employer’s household with or without pay, performing tasks such as washing dishes, cooking, cleaning, caring for younger children, and other household chores.
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