SAARC CONVENTION ON REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROMOTION OF CHILD WELFARE

IN SOUTH ASIA

In 2002 during the SAARC decade of the rights of the child, the SAARC countries adopted the
convention on promotion of child welfare in South Asia. The convention defines a child as any
person who has not completed 18 years of age who is a national of the region, unless under
national law majority is attained earlier. The purpose of the convention is to solidify the
commitments the South Asian countries have made as the world summit and to other
international bodies by encouraging mutual cooperation and assistance. The aim is to protect the
rights of the child while realising the full potential of each child and their responsibilities and
duties. This can be done by setting up regional arrangements to assist member states.

The convention states that countries should recognise the rights of a child as laid out in the
UNCRC and uphold the rights of the family as primary caregivers, and the best interests of the
child. To achieve their goals states regional priorities should be recognising the need for essential
services such as education and health both preventive and curative, provide appropriate legal and
administrative safety nets such as national laws that protect the child from abuse, exploitation,
neglect, violence, discrimination, trafficking, and child labour. There is need to set up appropriate
and child-friendly systems for juvenile justice, registration of births, child participation, etc. States
should encourage local media to cater to the needs of children by providing them with
information that is socially and culturally beneficial to the development of the child.

The convention outlines the following regional mechanisms that promote collaboration and
support of the member nations aiming to create an environment that fully realises the rights of
the child and provides for the well being of the child.

Create opportunities for sharing of information, experiences and skills

Facilitate human resource development through SAARC training programmes

Facilitate a speedy dismissal and transfer of children in conflict with law or in need of care and
protection who are nationals of other SAARC countries to their country of legal residence for
rehabilitation and reintegration

Fortify the relevant SAARC bodies dealing with child issues so as to ensure proper implementation
of regional strategies and measures of child protection.

Establish a nutrition programme that aims at promoting knowledge and attaining higher levels of
nutrition in children and women through awareness campaigns, education, training, food security
and food distribution systems.

The convention encourages states to adopt these standards in accordance with their own
constitution, laws and other measures. It outlines the need for coordination with other
international bodies such as the UN and UN agencies as well as local NGOs to achieve the goals of
the convention.