Children’s park and day-care centre handed over to ward office in Birgunj

KATHMANDU: A children’s park and day-care centre in Birgunj Metropolitan City-8 was handed over to the ward office on Friday as part of efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment, safe childcare and inclusive economic development.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Vice President and FNCCI Employers Council Chairperson Prabal Jung Pandey said the centre will help increase women’s economic independence and participation in employment. He said that with safe, well-managed, quality childcare, women can take part more confidently in industry, business, services, self-employment and other income-generating activities.

“This centre is not just a physical structure, but a door to women's economic independence. It will create an environment conducive for women to actively engage in employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship by placing their children in a safe environment,” Vice-President Pandey said.

He said many women in Nepal have the skills and desire to work, but their economic participation is limited by childcare, care for senior citizens and household responsibilities. He cited studies by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that point to the unequal burden of unpaid care work as a major barrier to women’s participation in the labour market, and referenced international research, including World Bank findings, showing that higher female labour participation boosts productivity, family income and children’s education.

He welcomed the collaboration among local government, the private sector and development partners as an example of a public–private partnership and urged expansion of similar initiatives to support women’s employment, entrepreneurship and leadership development.

Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Hari Prasad Gautam said the private sector has long sought cooperation with government and welcomed the joint effort to run women- and child-friendly programmes with the local authority for the first time. Janata Samajwadi Party, Parsa President Ram Naresh Yadav said day-care centres are essential for children.

ILO Madhesh Province coordinator Mahendra Sahani said the programme was launched after observing low female participation in the labour market and finding that about 40% of women could not participate due to family and social responsibilities.

FNCCI Assistant Director Hari Paudel said Birgunj-8 was chosen as it is a major industrial and commercial hub with dense settlements and a significant presence of working women. He said women working in formal and informal sectors, daily wage earners, small business owners, self-employed women and jobseekers are expected to benefit directly, and that children will receive care in a safe, healthy, learning-friendly and affectionate environment.

The centre was established in collaboration with ILO Nepal, the 'Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal' project, FNCCI, Birgunj Metropolitan City-8, FNCCI Madhesh Province, Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries and other partner organisations.