Child Labour
Beyond declaration-How Pauwadungma Rural Municipality is sustaining its Child Labour Free Zone status
A Child Labour Free Zone declaration is not an end point. Sustainability depends on continued political commitment, local systems, adequate resources and timely support for children and families facing vulnerability.
9 September 2026
When Pauwadungma Rural Municipality was declared a Child Labour Free Zone (CLFZ) in 2023 as an offshoot of ILO support, it marked an important milestone and paved the way for continued local action. ILO’s financial and technical support made possible the conduct of a a baseline survey and the institutional capacity enhancement of stakeholders. The municipality has since maintained a combination of political commitment, local financing, education support, social protection, and community participation to help protect children from labour and support their continued schooling.
Political commitment translated into local action
Political commitment remains the foundation of Pauwadungma's efforts to sustain its Child Labour Free Zone. Municipal representatives indicated their continued willingness to address child protection concerns and to support children and households experiencing vulnerability.
This commitment has been reflected in local policy and planning and actual financial commitments. The rural municipality has adopted a child protection and promotion policy and reported an annual allocation of NPR 800,000 (approximately USD 5254) for the welfare of children at risk of labour and for child labour elimination activities. Separate budget lines amounting to NPR 1,300,000 (approximately USD 8538) were also reported for the strengthening of child clubs and related programmes.
These allocations provide an important foundation for continuity. At the same time, local stakeholders acknowledged that available resources may not yet meet the full range of livelihood, education and protection needs. This recognition is helping to shape the next phase of municipal action.
Keeping children in school
Education is central to Pauwadungma Rural Municipality's efforts to prevent child labour and promote children's well-being. The municipality reported a child population of 2,398, and both municipal authorities and schools have continued to work together to ensure that children remain in education.
To reduce the risk of school dropout, the municipality provides scholarships, uniforms, stationery, school bags and other educational materials to children who may otherwise face difficulties continuing their education. During the reporting period, approximately 100 students received educational support. At Manedanda Secondary School alone, around 13 students were benefiting from this assistance through collaboration between the school and the rural municipality.
School representatives reported that changes in enrolment were largely linked to migration, declining birth rates and children moving to live with relatives, rather than financial barriers alone. When children remained within the locality, schools, ward offices and municipal authorities coordinated to trace them and facilitate their return to school. This regular collaboration enabled early identification of children at risk of dropping out and timely follow-up to support their re-enrolment.
At the time of the field follow-up, nine children had reportedly dropped out of school, while four had been successfully re-enrolled through municipal intervention. These results demonstrate the municipality's continued efforts to retain children in education and respond to emerging risks.
The baseline survey also underscored the importance of sustained municipal support and regular follow-up to prevent school dropout and reduce child labour risks. Although the baseline and field mission cover different reporting periods and draw on different datasets, together they indicate continued commitment to improving school participation and keeping children in school. The baseline findings are illustrated in Figure 1.
| Child population | 2,398 |
| Children reported as having dropped out | 9 |
| Children reportedly re-enrolled | 4 |
| Students receiving educational support | Approximately 100 |
| Functioning child clubs | 6 ward-level and 1 municipal-level |
Following up on children identified in child labour
The 2022 baseline survey identified three children aged 16-17 who were out of school and working with their parents in agriculture. Municipal officials reported that they counselled the children and their parents about re-enrolment, but the children did not return to school and continued to work alongside their families. To support household income, the rural municipality provided their parents with agricultural equipment, including hand tractors.
Municipal stakeholders reported that this experience reinforced the need for age-appropriate pathways for adolescents, including provisions for light work for children aged 13-15 and vocational education opportunities for those over 15.
Local structures supporting sustainability
Pauwadungma has maintained local structures that can support the sustainability of the CLFZ. A Local Child Rights Committee has been formed, and six ward-level child clubs and one municipal-level child club were reported to be functioning. Child clubs contribute to awareness activities, extracurricular programmes, school participation and the promotion of child rights.
Municipal monitoring has involved schools, child clubs, employers, civil society organisations and ward representatives. An Employment Service Centre Coordinator has also been assigned responsibilities related to the child welfare function. Formalising the focal person's mandate, reporting line and accountability arrangements would further strengthen continuity and follow-up.
Connecting child protection with social protection
The municipality's experience underlines that preventing child labour requires practical support alongside awareness raising. Pauwadungma reported several relevant services, including monthly allowances for eligible children under five years of age, scholarships, educational materials, free ambulance services and medical treatment support of up to NPR 25,000 (approximately USD 164).
Birth registration is required to access the child allowance. Local stakeholders considered this linkage to have contributed to high levels of birth registration an important step in enabling children to access public services and social protection.
The municipality also reported employment and enterprise-related initiatives, including a rural municipality employment programme, an enterprise development fund, entrepreneurship subsidies and support to strengthen existing businesses. Local stakeholders nevertheless noted that livelihood assistance needs to be tailored to household circumstances, capabilities and market opportunities.
Focusing on children facing multiple vulnerabilities
Municipal and school stakeholders identified orphaned children, children in single-parent households, children affected by parental alcohol misuse, children experiencing economic hardship and children without adequate adult care as groups that may require particular attention.
Some children may have access to family land or housing but lack an adult caregiver able to generate income, manage agricultural work or support their daily needs. These circumstances may affect access to food, education, protection and psychosocial support. Sustaining the CLFZ therefore requires household-level assessment and coordinated support, rather than a uniform response.
As the rural municipality does not have its own temporary shelter or child home, children requiring specialised accommodation may be referred to facilities in Bhojpur Municipality. A written referral protocol would help clarify roles and facilitate timely access to appropriate services.
Engaging employers and communities
Employer and community participation has also supported the local initiative. Seven businesses were reportedly recognised with letters of appreciation during the 2023 declaration, and three additional businesses were recognised after the declaration. This positive recognition approach can encourage responsible practices and reinforce local ownership when accompanied by written commitments and periodic follow-up.
Awareness activities and information materials have continued, although municipal representatives observed that uptake of some available services remained limited. For example, 12 technical and vocational education scholarships were reportedly offered, but no eligible participant used the opportunity. Based on the learning, municipality is now planning for household outreach, counselling and practical assistance with applications and referrals.
Pauwadungma's experience shows that a CLFZ can be sustained when the declaration is followed by continued political leadership, local financing, functioning coordination structures and practical support that responds to the circumstances of individual children and families.
For more information, please contact:
Shrutina Dhanchha
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Nistha Rayamajhi
Communications Officer
ILO Country Office for Nepal