Nepal is poised to expand its Child Grant programme from 25 to all 77 districts and increase the monthly amount from Rs532, beginning in Fiscal Year 2025/26. The move reflects a renewed commitment to children’s rights and social protection, as enshrined in Nepal’s Constitution and the Child Rights Act 2018.

At a policy dialogue held in Kathmandu, high-level stakeholders — including MPs, senior government officials, development partners, and civil society representatives — urged stronger investment in early childhood. Prakash Shrestha, a member of the National Planning Commission highlighted that reallocating funds from overlapping programmes could support both expanded coverage and increased allowance, creating long-term economic benefits through improved human capital.

Lawmaker Ishwori Gharti Magar called for the grant to be raised to at least Rs1,000, citing that 90 percent of brain development occurs before age six. Fellow MP Bina Lama echoed the need to raise both the rate and reach of the grant, noting its proven benefits for child nutrition.

Thakur Dhakal, a social policy specialist of UNICEF, warned of Nepal’s shifting demographics, urging immediate action to ease future dependency burdens. Save the Children Nepal’s Gopal Nepali called for empathy-driven policymaking focused on the most marginalised children.

The dialogue concluded with a collective parliamentary commitment to raise the issue in Parliament as a Motion of Public Importance.