International Girl Child Day Observed in Dharmapuri with Pledges and Awareness Programs

The observance of International Girl Child Day was marked in Dharmapuri on Thursday, where the District Collector K. Shanthi led various activities to promote the rights and education of young girls. The theme for this year was “Protect the Girl Child; Educate the Girl Child,” aiming to raise awareness on critical issues affecting girls, including child marriage and education.

As part of the celebrations, the district administration organized several awareness programs in schools. These programs were targeted at addressing the issues of child marriage and teenage pregnancies, alongside spreading knowledge about legal protections such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These efforts are designed to inform and empower students about their rights and the legal measures in place to protect them.

An additional focus was the Pudumai Penn Scheme, which was highlighted during the events. This initiative seeks to enhance the enrollment of girls in higher education by providing a monthly education stipend of ₹1,000 to eligible students. The scheme also endeavors to reduce incidents of child marriages by emphasizing the importance of education.

Earlier in the day, Collector Shanthi administered a pledge that focused on the eradication of child marriages and the promotion of education for girls, reaffirming the district’s commitment to these goals. Moreover, prizes were distributed to girls who excelled in various competitions held in anticipation of International Girl Child Day. These contests aimed to encourage participation and awareness among young girls.