National Girl Child Day

National Girl Child Day is an annual observance in India, celebrated on January 24th to raise awareness about the rights, education, and welfare of the girl child.

The day was first initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008 to address the challenges faced by girls in the country, such as gender-based discrimination, female foeticide, and unequal opportunities.

Objectives

The primary objectives of National Girl Child Day are:

1. To raise awareness about the rights and challenges faced by girls in India.
2. To promote the education, health, and safety of the girl child.
3. To advocate for the elimination of gender-based discrimination and violence.
4. To encourage the empowerment and participation of girls in all spheres of life.

Themes

Each year, National Girl Child Day is celebrated with a specific theme to highlight a particular aspect of girls’ rights and welfare. Some of the themes from previous years are:

Initiatives and Programs

The Government of India has launched several initiatives and programs to support the welfare and development of the girl child. Some of these include:

• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: A campaign to prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination, ensure the survival and protection of the girl child, and promote her education. The National Girl Child Day also marks anniversary of this campaign.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: A savings scheme for the girl child to ensure her education and marriage expenses.
• Balika Samriddhi Yojana: A scheme that provides financial assistance to the families of girl children to encourage their education and discourage child marriage.
• CBSE Udaan Scheme: A program that provides free coaching to girl students from economically weaker sections to prepare them for engineering entrance exams.

Important Facts

• The sex ratio in India has improved from 933 females per 1,000 males in 2001 to 940 females per 1,000 males in 2011, according to the Census of India.
• In 2015, the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the “National Plan of Action for Children,” which includes specific provisions for the protection and development of the girl child.
• The Haryana government launched the “Aapki Beti, Hamari Beti” scheme in 2015, which provides financial assistance to the families of girl children from birth until they complete their education.

Significance

National Girl Child Day is a reminder of the importance of girls’ rights and the need to create a society that values and nurtures them. In India, girls often face discrimination, neglect, and violence, which can have a detrimental impact on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about these issues and encourage communities to take action towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for girls.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2022

Category: Important Days & Events Current Affairs