National Girl Child Day 2024: Significance and Initiatives to Empower Girls

National Girl Child Day is observed on 24 January every year to spread awareness about the inequalities faced by a girl child in Indian society. The day not only advocates for equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and nutrition but also promotes awareness about the rights of a girl child and addresses issues like child marriage, discrimination, and violence against girls.

The government, through National Girl Child Day, aims to highlight the principles of equality and dignity for every girl child. Annually, on this day, awareness campaigns are organized across the country to spread the message of girls’ empowerment. It serves as a reminder to society about the importance of providing equal opportunities and respect to every girl, encouraging their education and overall well-being. The day is also in line with various campaigns and programs run by the Indian government including Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child).

National Girl Child Day was established by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008. Since then, every year, the day has been celebrated across India with a common annual theme. The move aimed to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by girls in a society grappling with gender inequality, education limitations, school dropouts, healthcare, child marriage, and gender-based violence.

The National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24 to mark the anniversary of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January 2015. The initiative jointly run by three ministries—the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Education—also aims to address the issue of the declining child sex ratio.

Celebrating the National Girl Child Day annually has mainly three objectives:

1. Promoting Gender Equality: The initiative aims to promote gender equality and challenge gender stereotypes that discriminate against girls.
2. Empowering Girls: The National Girl Child Day aims to provide girls with the knowledge, tools, and chances they need to realize their full potential.
3. Protecting Girls’ Rights: The initiative strives to safeguard girls against child marriage, malnutrition, and gender-based violence.

This annual event holds immense significance as it promotes gender equality and addresses issues faced by girls in India. It raises awareness about the importance of empowering girls through education, health, and social support. By initiative recognizes the potential of every girl child and advocates for a society where girls can access equal opportunities and contribute meaningfully.

Increased Awareness: The initiative aims to spread greater awareness of the value of girls’ education, empowerment, and safety. Rise in the female employment ratio, decline in female school dropouts and positive trends in the sex ratio in the country is the result of this increased public awareness, but a lot needs to be done.

Education Access: More girls are accessing education, increased female participation in higher education, and leading to higher literacy rates.

Child Marriage: A decline in the number of child marriages can be clearly noticed as a result of legal actions and awareness initiatives.

Girl Empowerment: Girls are becoming more empowered to pursue their aspirations, make their own decisions, and contribute to society.