January 24, since 2008, is celebrated as National Girl Child. Being an initiative of the ministry of women and child development, the day focuses on the need to address the challenges that girls face in the society due to gender biases. The purpose of the day is also to change the attitude of society towards girls. Importantly also, the day is an opportunity to highlight the inequalities faced by girls, promote awareness about their rights and generate awareness on the importance of girl education, health and nutrition.
The Lieutenant Governor of J&K rightly said that if a girl child is empowered, the prosperity of the society is certain.
Everyone should step forward and help in empowering the girl child in every possible way. There is need, as has been correctly underlined by the Lieutenant Governor, to proactively build a system to empower the girl child through quality education. It in-turn will raise their capacity to contribute to the build society strongly.
Under the visionary guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Nari Shakti is breaking the barriers and showing exemplary leadership in multiple areas. They have become the role model for the nation and not only transforming the future of their families but also shaping the future of the country, he added.
All the organisations and individuals should provide all support and opportunities to the girls and promote awareness about their rights.
Lately, according to Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020 released by Registrar General of India (RGI) last year, the Sex Ratio at birth in Jammu and Kashmir has increased from 918 to 921.
The country has enacted a law in 1994 banning prenatal sex determination to curb the selective abortion of female foetuses, driven by a cultural preference for boys.
While consequences of a falling sex ratio are well documented, there is a need to alleviate and bring to an end to the fear of violence which as per a study is a cause for female foeticide. Also the women who give birth to daughters face much more domestic violence which makes them complicit in getting rid of the girl child, the survey says. There is also a need to change the thinking and promote girl children and women in all fields. More and more awareness is needed on the count. There is a need to work in the endeavor by one and all and give a stronger message that let the girl child be born and live up to her full potential.