Though child labour is illegal in Nepal, an estimated 1.1 million children are in the workforce according to the ILO’s National Child Labor Report. Of these, 200,000 children, or 3.2 percent, were engaged in hazardous work according to the government-published data from the 2018 Nepal Labor Force Survey. Thousands are found in Kathmandu’s carpet factories loom sheds and brick kilns within and outside of the Valley. Both industries are considered among the worst and most hazardous forms of child labour. 
Based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and guided by international policies to protect children, GWCN and NGF programs include:

Based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and guided by international policies to protect children, GWCN and our social programming partner, Nepal GoodWeave Foundation (NGF), carry out the following programmes:

Manufacturers who become GoodWeave as licensees commit to regular audits and inspections of their supply chains and subcontractors. Our inspectors, trained in best practices for auditing, inspection, and child and worker protection, conduct unannounced visits to licensees' facilities. GoodWeave conducts deep supply chain mapping from exporter factories down to its subcontractors and even home-based units, to ensure comprehensive coverage. This deep supply chain mapping acts as a strong deterrent against child and forced labor. 
To date, GoodWeave Certification Nepal has 58 licensed exporters, with approximately 400 supply chain units, including home-based sites. To uphold compliance with both the GoodWeave Standard requirements and national legislations, our dedicated team conducts unannounced inspection visits of supply chain units, including home-based ones, at least once every six months. Additionally, exporter factories are inspected at least once a year. These rigorous monitoring efforts by the GWCN team assures that no child, forced, or bonded labor is involved in any stage of the carpet production process within GoodWeave licensed carpet factories.

When exploitation does occur, we ensure every child is provided complete remediation through Nepal GoodWeave Foundation, a social program partner of GoodWeave International (GWI).

Children who are found working and are capable of returning home and reuniting with their families receive Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) services. These services are designed to support their reintegration into their communities and provide them with the necessary resources, including access to educational opportunities, to attend school in their village. Additionally, GoodWeave case workers regularly visit these children to monitor their progress, ensure their well-being, and offer continued support as they transition back into their family and community life. This comprehensive approach aims to remove children from child labor situations and provide them with the necessary support to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

At Hamro Ghar ("Our Home"), children who have been freed and have no family to return to, or who are at risk of being trafficked or sent to work again, receive Center-Based Rehabilitation. This specialized facility provides a safe and nurturing environment where these children can heal from their past experiences and rebuild their lives. Children at Hamro Ghar, receive benefit from a range of support services tailored to their individual needs in addition to non formal education. This includes counseling, vocational training, life skills development, and recreational activities aimed at fostering their holistic well-being and preparing them for a successful future. The dedicated team at Hamro Ghar, comprising social workers, educators, counselors, and other professionals, work closely with each child to address their unique challenges and aspirations. They provide personalized care and guidance, empowering the children to overcome their past traumas and realize their full potential. 
Most children graduating from Hamro Ghar, later transition to formal schooling either in their community or at a GoodWeave sponsored private school, up to grade 12.

After graduating from Hamro Ghar, if further rehabilitation within the child's family or community environment remains unfeasible despite all efforts, School-Based Rehabilitation becomes an option. This residential program provides children with education along with full hostel facilities. Our social program partner, Nepal GoodWeave Foundation (NGF), has established an agreement with the Laboratory Higher Secondary School, recognized as one of Nepal's foremost institutions, to administer this program. Here, children are offered quality education and comprehensive support up to Grade 12, fostering their academic and personal development.

We address root causes to prevent recurrence through social programmes in worker communities that keep children in school and learning, as well as improve conditions and rights for workers.

The Sponsorship Education Program (SEP) is designed to assist specific, high-need children of workers in GoodWeave licensed facilities. Under this program, GoodWeave provides school-related expenses such as fees, uniforms, and supplies. Additionally, we provide enrollment support for children aged 6 to 18, ensuring they have access to education and the necessary resources to thrive academically. By offering comprehensive support through SEP, GoodWeave aims to break down barriers to education and create opportunities for vulnerable children to access quality schooling. This not only empowers them to build a brighter future for themselves but also contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation in their communities.

Daycare and Early Childhood Education are provided at two centers in Kathmandu for at-risk children of carpet workers. Children of carpet weavers are offered an early on-ramp to education while mothers are able to concentrate on their work and increase earnings. At these centers, children are provided with comprehensive early childhood education programs, ensuring they receive a strong foundation for their future academic endeavors. Through structured learning activities, play-based approaches, and interactions with trained caregivers, children are equipped with essential cognitive, social, and emotional skills that are vital for their overall development.

Awareness workshops conducted within the carpet and brick kiln supply chains serve as crucial platforms for educating workers about their rights and promoting the importance of education for their children. These workshops aim to empower workers with knowledge about their rights, including labor rights and entitlements, as well as informing them about the hazards of child labor and the benefits of sending their sons and daughters to school.

Mobile medical services, including eye care and various healthcare provisions, are actively provided to carpet workers and their families.Through mobile medical services, dedicated healthcare professionals bring essential services directly to the communities, ensuring that carpet workers and their families receive timely and comprehensive care without the need for extensive travel. This initiative aims to address both immediate health concerns and promote preventive healthcare practices among the community members.