In 2002 during the SAARC decade of the rights of the child, the SAARC countries adopted the convention on promotion of child welfare in South Asia. The convention defines a child as any person who has not completed 18 years of age who is a national of the region, unless under national law majority is attained earlier. The purpose of the convention is to solidify the commitments the South Asian countries have made as the world summit and to other international bodies by encouraging mutual cooperation and assistance. The aim is to protect the rights of the child while realising the full potential of each child and their responsibilities and duties. This can be done by setting up regional arrangements to assist member states. The convention states that countries should recognise the rights of a child as laid out in the UNCRC and uphold the rights of the family as primary caregivers, and the best interests of the child. To achieve their goals states regional priorities should be recognising the need for essential services such as education and health both preventive and curative, provide appropriate legal and administrative safety nets such as national laws that protect the child from abuse, exploitation, neglect, violence, discrimination, trafficking, and child labour. There is need to set up appropriate and child-friendly systems for juvenile justice, registration of births, child participation, etc. States should encourage local media to cater to the needs of children by providing them with information that is socially and culturally beneficial to the development of the child. The convention outlines the following regional mechanisms that promote collaboration and support of the member nations aiming to create an environment that fully realises the rights of the child and provides for the well being of the child. Create opportunities for sharing of information, experiences and skills Facilitate human resource development through SAARC training programmes Facilitate a speedy dismissal and transfer of children in conflict with law or in need of care and protection who are nationals of other SAARC countries to their country of legal residence for rehabilitation and reintegration Fortify the relevant SAARC bodies dealing with child issues so as to ensure proper implementation of regional strategies and measures of child protection. Establish a nutrition programme that aims at promoting knowledge and attaining higher levels of nutrition in children and women through awareness campaigns, education, training, food security and food distribution systems.
The convention encourages states to adopt these standards in accordance with
their own constitution, laws and other measures. It outlines the need for coordination with other international bodies such as the UN and UN agencies as well as local NGOs to achieve the goals of the convention.