Two-Day Child-Led National Validation Workshop on UPR (4th Cycle)

Nepal, which is going through the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), took a major step forward in inclusive human rights monitoring by placing meaningful child participation center stage in accordance with its national obligations and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). To make sure children’s voices were heard directly in this global process, a Two-Day Child-Led National Validation Workshop was organized on 29–30 May 2025 in Kathmandu, bringing together child representatives from every one of the seven provinces, with the most disadvantaged and excluded children belonging to marginalized groups, ethnic minorities, and children with disabilities. Through such an inclusive process, equity, participation, and non-discrimination were enabled in reviewing and validating findings of earlier local and provincial consultations. The workshop not only facilitated the completion of the child-led UPR report but also the means to build children’s understanding of the UPR mechanism, build their advocacy skills, and foster collaboration among young human rights activists. By placing children’s lives and empowering them to shape policy discussions, Nepal further solidified its commitment to child-led participation and responsibility in national and international human rights arenas.