Date: 24 - 28 October 2005
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

There is a growing interest in rights based approaches and child rights programming
(CRP) among various organisations in South and Central Asia. This workshop aims to
strengthen these approaches by establishing guidelines for implementing the
principle of non-discrimination in programming.

The principle of 'non-discrimination' is integral to child rights programming.
However, many programmes in the region are diversity blind and do not actively
address the root causes of child rights violations such as patriarchal structures
and unequal power relations. There is very little information available about how
children themselves perceive discrimination and what coping mechanisms they have
developed. This workshop aims to explore these issues to strengthen guidelines for
existing as well as new programmes on non-discrimination and gender. Girls' and
boys' perceptions of discrimination and their actions to promote inclusion and
equality were identified as critical for designing and implementing a child
rights-based programme.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have:

- An increased understanding of the principles of non-discrimination and its links
with child rights programming;

- An increased awareness of discrimination faced by various vulnerable groups and
its impact on children's holistic development;

- Shared their approaches, strategies and tools for working on non-discrimination
good practice and challenges;

- Developed action plans to promote equality, inclusion and diversity.

For more information, contact:
Bandana Shrestha
Regional Consultant, Non-Discrimination, SCS
Email: bandana@savethechildren.org.np

Shaila Parveen Luna
Programme Officer, Non-Discrimination
Email: luna@scsd-bd.org

Deeba Shabnam
Programme Officer
Email: deeba@scpa.com.pk

Ravi Karkara
Regional Programme Manager, SCS
ravikarkara@savethechildren.org.np

[Source: CRIN]