A Save the Children assessment in the immediate aftermath of the protests revealed grave violations of children’s rights by state security forces, including deaths, injuries, arbitrary arrests and widespread trauma among children and young people. The assessment also exposed critical weaknesses in the country’s child protection systems during political unrest.
KATHMANDU, 23 February 2026 – Children in Nepal are demanding that their rights are at the heart of political campaigns and calling for an end to child marriage and free education for all ahead of the first election since the deadly Gen-Z protests, Save the Children said.
At least 50 people - including three children - died in the Gen-Z protests in September last year after security forces used force against thousands of children and young people in demonstrations. The protests were triggered by a government shutdown of prominent social media platforms but grew into wider calls for an end to corruption, and greater accountability and transparency from politicians.
A Save the Children assessment in the immediate aftermath of the protests revealed grave violations of children’s rights by state security forces, including deaths, injuries, arbitrary arrests and widespread trauma among children and young people. The assessment also exposed critical weaknesses in the country’s child protection systems during political unrest [1].
About one third of Nepal’s 30 million population are children, and more than 900,000 people have registered to vote for the first time in the 5 March national election. Working with Save the Children and partners, 125 children from six provinces in Nepal developed their own ‘manifesto’ and presented it to major political parties.
Most of the participants stressed the need for political stability and called for stronger safeguards to protect child rights and ensure accountability for any violations in the wake of the Gen-Z protests.
Children and youth are also demanding an end to child labour and child marriage. More than a third of girls in Nepal are married as children, according to the UN [2]. Their demands also include the right to free, quality and inclusive education, stronger action to address air pollution and environmental degradation, and accessible and youth-friendly mental health services.
Shivashankar, 17, took part in the consultations and said:
“We saw what happened during the Gen-Z movement here in Nepal. Children were killed, and many more were impacted.
“Even though I won’t be able to vote, I can still voice my opinion and request political parties not to forget about our rights.”
Children in Nepal are calling for meaningful representation in decision-making structures to ensure their rights are protected, and that the voices of children from diverse social, economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds are heard.
Neeraj, 18, said:
“The Gen-Z movement has provided a new steer in how children and young people are viewed in the socio-political sphere. I am excited to vote for the first time.
“This is our moment to demand a new Nepal, a country that respects the rights of children and young people.”
During elections children are not seen as critical stakeholders of the electoral process due to a lack of voting rights but as dependents of parents or caregivers.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article (12), underscores the importance of children’s participation in decision-making processes. State parties must ensure that all children, regardless of their age, have an opportunity to express their views – and that those views must be given due weight, according to the age and maturity of the child.
Tara Chettry, Country Director, Save the Children in Nepal, said:
“Children have the right to be heard now, even if they cannot vote. Their demands are clear. They want political stability, greater recognition of their voices, and stronger accountability from state actors and political leaders.
“They are calling for improved access to mental health services, protection of their right to education, and the right to live in peace and safety. Their demand for transparency, accountability, and full adherence to child rights obligations must be taken seriously.
“As a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is the duty of the government to uphold, protect, and fulfil these rights.”
Save the Children has worked in Nepal since 1976. The child rights organisation runs programmes spanning child protection, child rights governance, education, climate change, gender equality, health and nutrition and child poverty.
Notes to editors:
125 children participated in consultations in all six provinces in Nepal to share their priorities and demands for politicians ahead of the election in sessions organised by Save the Children and partners, Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP), Consortium Nepal, CCR Karnali, CDC, and CWIN Nepal.
[2] https://www.unicef.org/rosa/media/25301/file/Nepal%20-%20Child%20Marriage%20Country%20Profile.pdf 33% of women aged 20 to 24 years were first married or in union before 18 in Nepal.
