National Girl Child Day is observed every year in India on January 24th to promote awareness about the rights of a girl child and to promote the importance of their education, health, and nutrition. The day was first initiated in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and is celebrated with an aim to raise awareness about the inequalities faced by girls and women in society at various levels.
Background:
- The Women and Child Development Department will celebrate National Girl Child Week from 24 to 30 January to mark the occasion. Several programmes, campaigns and workshops will also be organised throughout the day. Some of them include the “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao” signature campaign, plantation and nameplate drive in the names of daughters, awareness campaign on women’s rights, and mass oaths for girl child protection.
- The theme for National Girl Child Day 2023 has not been announced yet. Notably, in 2019 the theme was ‘Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow’, in 2020, the theme was ‘My voice, Our Common Future’ and in 2021 the theme was ‘Digital Generation, Our Generation’.
Objectives:
- According to the women and child development ministry, the main objective of National Girl Child Day is to raise awareness and tackle the issues of inequalities that girls face in the country and enlighten everyone about the rights of a girl child. It aims to support every girl child in the country and remove gender biases.
Issues faced by Girl Child:
- Despite the progress made in recent years, girls in India still face many challenges and inequalities. These include discrimination in access to education and healthcare, child marriage, and violence against women and girls.
- According to UNICEF, in India, the female literacy rate is only 66.9%, compared to 82.1% for males. Additionally, the maternal mortality rate for girls aged 15-19 is three times higher than for women in their 20s.
Importance of Education:
- Education is a key factor in overcoming these challenges and promoting equality for girls. Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage and childbirth, have healthier children, and be more active participants in their communities and economies. The government of India has launched several initiatives to promote girl’s education, such as the “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao” campaign, which aims to improve the sex ratio at birth and ensure the survival, protection, and education of the girl child.
Synopsis
National Girl Child Day is an important occasion to raise awareness about the rights and issues faced by girls in India. The government and society must work together to promote equality and ensure that every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential. Education, healthcare, and the elimination of gender bias are crucial steps in achieving this goal. By working together, we can empower girls for a brighter future.