Nepal’s developmental success is perhaps one that is not told nor known enough. The country has seen primary school enrollment rates rising with gender parity, while child mortality rates have been declining. In 2010 Nepal received the Millennium Development Goal Award for reducing its maternal mortality ratio.
Nepal also has extraordinary foundations for social accountability: quite progressive legislation; moves toward devolved power; and massive community networks despite formidable physical barriers. There are over 15,000 Child Clubs; over 1,000 village-based women’s committees actively addressing violence against women and children; over 50,000 Female Community Health Volunteers; thousands of community-based School, Health Facility and Water Supply Management Committees; and hundreds of thousands of social mobilizers. In addition there has been a proliferation of governance structures at all levels of government which, at least on paper, have provided space for children’s participation in local decision making.