Empowering Families, Building Futures: Provincial Dialogue in Karnali Champions Parenting Education

9 Dec, Birendranagar, Karnali Province: The Provincial Level Dialogue on Child Grant Plus Parenting Education was successfully held in Karnali Province, marking a significant step towards strengthening child development through integrated social protection measures. The dialogue, chaired by Anita Gyawali, Head of the Social Development Division, Ministry of Social Development, saw the presence of prominent dignitaries, Chief Guest Hon. Ghanashyam Bhandari, Minister, Ministry of Social Development, Special Guest Surya Nath Yogi, Vice-Chairperson, Province Planning Commission, Karnali Province, Guests Hasta Bahadur Pun, Chairperson, Municipal Association Nepal, Karnali Province, and Nim Bahadur K.C., Chairperson, National Association of Rural Municipalities of Nepal, Karnali Province, elected representatives from local governments, heads of the Department of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, development partners, representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and journalists were actively participated in the discussions.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Development, Karnali Province, with support from Save the Children and coordination with Social Protection Civil Society Network (SPCSN), and its member organizations KIRDARC and SAC Nepal where the welcome speech was delivered by Mr. Tilottam Paudel, Chairperson of SPCSN. He urged the provincial government to prioritize the integration of parenting education into the child grant program.

Mr. Gopal Nepali from Save the Children presented an overview of the parenting education programs, providing a detailed analysis of their status, community-level impacts, and transformative potential. He strongly emphasized how these programs have supported early childhood development, cultivated positive parenting practices, and raised awareness of nutrition at the local level. Nepali underscored the imperative to scale these initiatives for broader societal benefits, advocating for enhanced collaboration between stakeholders.

Similarly, Mr. Sanu Babu Adhikari, Director of the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DONIDCR), shared a comprehensive account of the overall status of child grants in Karnali Province. He elaborated on the department’s dedicated efforts to maximize the effectiveness of cash transfers by not only ensuring timely distribution but also creating robust awareness campaigns to educate parents on the appropriate use of these grants. Adhikari highlighted that such awareness is a cornerstone for achieving measurable improvements in child welfare and development.

The dialogue also delved into the Cash Plus Approach, integrating child grants with parenting education to enhance program outcomes. Participants acknowledged that while the child grant program plays a vital role in poverty reduction and child rights promotion, its impact can be significantly amplified through comprehensive parenting education initiatives.

Speaking in the event, Hon. Ghanashyam Bhandari, the Chief Guest, highlighted the geographical challenges in Karnali Province, emphasizing that social security programs constitute a major portion of the total provincial budget, however, the federal government directly transfer the cash to Local Government. He underscored the importance of raising parental awareness for the holistic development of children and society, stating, “Awareness among parents is essential to ensure the overall development of children and a better society.”

Vice-Chairperson of the Province Planning Commission, Surya Nath Yogi, remarked on the province’s strategic planning efforts, revealing that social sector investments are a priority in the forthcoming five-year strategy. He stressed that investing in children is a critical tool for human capital development and a pathway to sustainable growth.

Hasta Bahadur Pun, Chairperson of the Municipal Association Nepal (MuAN), Karnali Province, emphasized the pivotal role of local governments as the primary implementers of social security programs. He pointed out that many local governments have yet to endorse the ‘Standard on Child Nutrition Grant and Parental Awareness Program 2079 (Model),’ developed and circulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of National ID and Civil Registration. Recognizing this gap, Pun pledged that MuAN, Karnali Province, would ensure the dissemination of this critical document to all local governments across the province, reinforcing the commitment to standardize and elevate child development initiatives.

Nim Bahadur K.C., Chairperson of the National Association of Rural Municipalities of Nepal (NARMIN), Karnali Province, highlighted the readiness of local governments to collaborate with provincial authorities and development partners to strengthen parenting education programs. He underscored the importance of tailoring social security programs to the unique contextual needs of rural municipalities, citing existing initiatives as evidence of the local governments’ proactive approach. K.C. further stressed that collaboration and coordination are essential to achieving transformative outcomes for children and families in the province.

Stakeholders from various sectors shared valuable insights during the dialogue. Local representatives highlighted the success of parenting education programs in promoting positive parenting practices, raising nutrition awareness, and fostering early childhood development. They emphasized the necessity of robust coordination among federal, provincial, and local levels to ensure the effective implementation and accessibility of these programs.

This dialogue underscored the collective commitment of stakeholders to invest in children as a means of building a resilient and prosperous Karnali Province. The event concluded with a shared resolve to expand these initiatives, ensuring that every child receives the care and support they deserve.