"We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave- to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential.”
- Malala Yousafzai
India has celebrated National Girl Child Day every year on January 24 since 2008.This day is a reminder of how far India has come from its long history of injustice, discrimination and exploitation that was faced by women for decades.Patriarchy and misogyny were common themes of ancient India but a lot has changed since then we are an independent nation on the verge of becoming a developed country. But sadly we are not perfect. We still have a long way to go to make this country a better place for little girls.Through this day we encourage people to become more aware of social and cultural inequalities that girls still face.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS DAY
This day sheds light on the rights of a girl child and urges people to eradicate discrimination that is still happening in Indian society to this very day. We are striving towards a world that is safe and prudent towards the girl child. Education, nutrition, medical health care, legal rights , protection, freedom of speech for all girl children are the causes that this day supports. Through this day we highlight how crucial it is to support and strengthen our girls and liberate them from the constraints of the society by practicing equal rights and justice.
MILESTONES FOR OUR COUNTRY
This day corresponds with several other campaigns taken by the Government of India such as Save the Girl Child, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.By the ratification of the Ministry of Women and Child Development National Girl Child Day was operationalized.
This day was particularly chosen because on this in 1966 India appointed her first ever women Prime Minister.The legacy of this day inspires young women to step forward and take charge of their country and strive for greatness and prestige.
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT 2009
- PROHIBITION OF CHILD MARRIAGE 2006
- DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT 2006
- THE IMMORAL TRAFFIC PREVENTION ACT 1956
- THE COMMISSION OF SATI PREVENTION ACT 1987
- PRECONCEPTION AND PRENATAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES ACT (PCPNDT) 1944
All these are extraordinary achievements for India but we are still miles away from making this country a perfect place for a girl to be born.As Gordon B. Hinckley rightly said “To save a girl is to save generations”.
To this very day one-third of young girls are malnourished in our country. The literacy rate of females is 53.87%.We are constantly lacking in providing safety to the girls of our nation. We need to bring necessary changes in the way this country works for the generation of girls to come.
Let us come together to break all prejudices against women and take a pledge to keep girl children safe,secure and shield them so that they can get a chance to blossom into a beautiful person.The road to change starts from your own household and gives the girl child the respect,opportunity and equal rights she deserves.