NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY: PROGRESS, INITIATIVES AND EMPOWERING OF GIRLS

National Girl Child Day highlights India’s progress in advancing girls’ rights, education, health and empowerment through focused policies, grassroots initiatives and measurable achievements.

- TDG NETWORK

ational Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on 24th January in India to emphasize on the rights, education, health, nutrition and overall well-being of girl children.

Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in 2008, the day provides a platform to raise awareness about gender discrimination, promote equal opportunities, and create an environment where girls can thrive as empowered citizens. It underlines the vital role girls play in building a brighter and more equitable future for the nation. This initiative effectively aligns with India’s vision of women-led development and a developed India by 2047,

ADVOCACY FOR EMPOWERING GIRLS

National Girl Child Day provides an important opportunity to address the inequalities that girls continue to face—such as gender discrimination, female foeticide, challenges related to the child sex ratio, child marriage, and barriers to access to education and health. Furthermore, the day emphasizes the need to transform societal thinking and give equal importance and respect to girls, thereby promoting their holistic development.

Its key focus areas include advancing girls’ education, skill development, digital inclusion, participation in SETM sectors, mental health support, protection from violence, and opportunities for leadership roles. Through sustained efforts, especially under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, significant progress has been made. The national sex ratio at birth (SRB) is expected to increase from approximately 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24.

Additionally, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls at the secondary level (classes 9-10) in India is projected to increase from 75.51 percent in 2014-15 to 78.0 percent in 2023-24.2 Furthermore , the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls at the secondary level is projected to reach 80.2 percent in 2024-25.