National Girl Child Day 2024: Emphasizes Empowerment and Opportunities

In a tweet marking National Girl Child Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed admiration for the resilient spirit and achievements of the girl child. He highlighted each girl’s significant potential across all sectors and praised them as catalysts for positive change in our nation and society.

The Prime Minister’s tweet acknowledged the government’s decade-long commitment to fostering an environment where every girl child has opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. He emphasized the various efforts undertaken by the government to create a nation that empowers and supports the development of young girls.

National Girl Child Day is an occasion dedicated to recognizing the importance of the girl child in our society and promoting gender equality. PM Modi’s message not only saluted the indomitable spirit of girls but also underscored their role as change-makers contributing to the betterment of the nation.

The tweet resonates with the broader efforts to break down barriers and create a more inclusive society where girls have equal access to education, healthcare, and other essential resources. As the nation celebrates National Girl Child Day, PM Modi’s words serve as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to building a brighter future for every girl in India.

On National Girl Child Day, we salute the indomitable spirit and accomplishments of the Girl Child. We also recognise the rich potential of every girl child in all sectors. They are change-makers who make our nation and society better. Over the last decade, our government has…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2024

National Girl Child Day

National Girl Child Day is a day to celebrate and empower girls in India. It is observed every year on January 24, 2008, by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The day aims to raise awareness about the rights and challenges of girls and to promote their education, health, nutrition, and protection. It also highlights the achievements and potential of girls and encourages them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Some of the objectives of National Girl Child Day:

• To spread awareness about the importance of girls’ empowerment and dignity in society.
• To address the issues of discrimination, violence, child marriage, and lack of education that affect girls.
• To provide equal opportunities and support to girls in various fields and sectors.
• To inspire girls with positive role models and mentors, and to celebrate their contributions and accomplishments.

The day also coincides with the launch of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.

Theme and significance of National Girl Child Day:

The theme for National Girl Child Day 2024 has not been announced yet, but it is expected to focus on empowering and protecting girls in India. The previous themes were:

• 2019: Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow
• 2020: My Voice, Our Common Future
• 2021: Digital Generation, Our Generation

Events and activities on National Girl Child Day:

National Girl Child Day is an important occasion that aims to raise awareness about the rights, challenges, and achievements of girls in society. The events and activities organized on this day play a crucial role in promoting the well-being and empowerment of girls. Here’s a breakdown of the mentioned activities:

Painting competitions, debates, seminars, workshops, rallies, and cultural programs:

• These activities provide a platform for girls to showcase their talents, express their thoughts, and engage in discussions on topics related to their rights and empowerment.
• Cultural programs can celebrate the diversity and richness of the girl child’s contributions to society.

Special Gram Sabha/Mahila Sabha:

• These community-based events focus on raising awareness about the child-sex ratio and addressing issues related to gender discrimination.
• Oath-taking ceremonies and signature campaigns involve community members in pledging their support for the rights and well-being of the girl child.

Programs with schools:

• Collaborating with schools helps in reaching out to a large audience of students and educators.
• Competitions such as posters, slogan-writing, drawing, and wall painting promote creativity and convey messages related to the value of the girl child.
• Talk shows on health and nutrition highlight important aspects of girls’ well-being.

Plantation drive, distribution of sanitary napkins, and awareness campaign on Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme:

• Plantation drives contribute to environmental awareness while symbolizing the growth and nurturing of girls.
• Distributing sanitary napkins addresses a critical aspect of girls’ health and hygiene.
• Awareness campaigns on government schemes like Beti Bachao, and Beti Padhao aim to ensure the education and protection of the girl child.

Recognition and appreciation of achievements:

• Celebrating the achievements and contributions of girls in various fields provides positive role models.
• Mentoring programs can inspire and guide girls to pursue their goals and overcome challenges.

By organizing a diverse range of activities, National Girl Child Day becomes a comprehensive platform for addressing societal issues, promoting education, and fostering a supportive environment for the growth and development of girls.

Achievements and contributions of girls on National Girl Child Day:

Celebrating the achievements and contributions of girls in various fields is a crucial aspect of National Girl Child Day. By showcasing the success stories of girls who have overcome challenges and made significant contributions, the day serves as an inspiration for others. Here are some additional points highlighting the importance of celebrating achievements:

Inspiration and Motivation:

• Highlighting success stories inspires girls, motivating them to believe in their abilities and pursue their goals despite any challenges they may face.

Positive Role Models:

• Recognizing and appreciating the accomplishments of girls helps create positive role models for others to look up to.
• Having role models in diverse fields demonstrates that girls can excel in various areas, breaking stereotypes and encouraging them to explore different career paths.

Community Impact:

• Celebrating the achievements of girls not only empowers individuals but also contributes to the overall development of communities and the nation.
• Girls who excel in education, sports, science, arts, and social service often bring positive changes to their communities through their work and initiatives.

Building Confidence:

• Publicly acknowledging the achievements of girls boosts their confidence and self-esteem, reinforcing the idea that their contributions are valued and important.

Encouraging Support Systems:

• Recognition of achievements encourages the creation of support systems, including mentors and networks, which can guide and assist girls in their respective fields.

Highlighting Diversity:

• By showcasing achievements across a variety of fields, the day emphasizes the diversity of talents and interests among girls, dispelling stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.

In essence, celebrating achievements on National Girl Child Day not only acknowledges individual accomplishments but also contributes to creating a more inclusive and supportive society where girls can thrive and make meaningful contributions across various domains.

Examples of girls who have made a positive impact

Here are some examples of girls who have made us all proud:

Malavath Poorna

Malavath Poorna is an Indian mountaineer who has completed the seven summit mountaineering challenge. She is the world’s youngest tribal girl to complete seven summits and the youngest girl to climb Mount Everest. She was born on 10 June 2000 in Pakala village, Telangana. She started her mountaineering training at the age of 13, under the guidance of R S Praveen Kumar, IPS officer and then-Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society.

She climbed Mount Everest on 25 May 2014, along with her friend S Anand Kumar. She also climbed Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Aconcagua, the Carstensz Pyramid, Vinson Massif, and Mount Denali. She has received several awards and honors, and has been featured in a biopic film named Poorna: Courage Has No Limit.

Avani Chaturvedi

Avani Chaturvedi is an Indian fighter pilot who became the first Indian woman to fly a fighter jet solo in 2018. She is also one of the first three women to be commissioned as a flying officer in the Indian Air Force in 2016. She has participated in various air combat exercises, both in India and abroad, and has received several awards and honors, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar and a doctorate from Banasthali Vidyapeeth. She is married to Flight Lieutenant Vineet Chikara, who is also a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. She is an inspiration and a role model for many girls who aspire to join the Indian Air Force.

Ritu Karidhal

Ritu Karidhal is an Indian scientist and aerospace engineer who works at ISRO. She was the deputy operations director of India’s first Mars mission, Mangalyaan, in 2013. She was also the mission director of India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, in 2019. She has been called the ‘Rocket Woman’ of India for her achievements in space research. She has received many awards and honors, including the ISRO Young Scientist Award and the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman.

Important schemes & campaigns for girls

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a campaign launched by the Government of India in 2015 to address the issue of the declining child sex ratio and to promote the education and empowerment of girls. The campaign has three components: awareness generation, multi-sectoral action, and effective enforcement of laws. The campaign covers all the districts of India, with special focus on 100 districts with low child sex ratio. The campaign also provides financial incentives to parents of girl children through the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. The campaign aims to improve the survival, protection, and development of girls, and to ensure their equal rights and opportunities.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a savings scheme for parents of girl children. It offers attractive interest rates and tax benefits, and helps in meeting the education and marriage expenses of girls. The scheme is part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, launched by the Government of India in 2015, to address the issue of the declining child sex ratio and to promote the education and empowerment of girls.

Some of the features and benefits of SSY are:

• The scheme allows parents to open an account in the name of a girl child before she turns 10 years old, and deposit a minimum of Rs. 250 and a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh per year.
• The account matures when the girl turns 21 years old, or gets married after 18 years of age.
• The interest rate for the scheme is revised quarterly by the Ministry of Finance. For the period 01.04.2023 to 30.06.2023, the rate of interest is 8.0%.
• The principal amount deposited, interest earned during the entire tenure, and maturity benefits are tax-exempt under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
• The account can be transferred anywhere in India from one post office/Bank to another.
• A premature withdrawal of up to 50% of investment is allowed after the child gains the age of 18 years even if she is not getting married.

SSY is a scheme that aims to secure the financial future of girl children and to encourage parents to invest in their education and well-being. It is a scheme that supports the vision of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and empowers girls to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Ladli Laxmi Yojana

Ladli Laxmi Yojana is a scheme launched by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2007, to enhance the social and economic status of girls, and to promote their education and empowerment. The scheme provides financial assistance to girls at various stages of their life, such as birth, school enrolment, and marriage. The scheme covers girls who are born on or after 1 January 2006, and whose parents are not tax payers.

Some of the features and benefits of the scheme are:

• The government purchases National Savings Certificates worth Rs. 6,000 every year for five years for each girl child, and renews them from time to time.
• The girl child receives Rs. 2,000 when she gets admitted to class 6, Rs. 4,000 when she gets admitted to class 9, and Rs. 7,500 when she gets admitted to class 11.
• The girl child also receives Rs. 200 per month during her higher secondary education.
• The girl child receives the maturity amount, which is approximately Rs. 1 lakh, when she turns 21 years old, or gets married after 18 years of age.
• The scheme is linked with the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, and aims to improve the child sex ratio, and to prevent female foeticide and child marriage.

Ladli Laxmi Yojana is a scheme that aims to secure the financial future of girl children and to encourage parents to invest in their education and well-being. It is a scheme that supports the vision of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and empowers girls to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Balika Samridhi Yojana

Balika Samridhi Yojana (BSY) is a government scheme in India launched in 1997. It aims to improve the nutritional, health, and development status of adolescent girls, and to provide them with life skills education and vocational training. The scheme covers girls aged 11 to 18 years, who are enrolled in Anganwadi centres.

Some of the features and benefits of BSY are:

• The scheme provides a post-birth grant of Rs. 500 to the mother or guardian of a girl child born on or after 15 August 1997, if she is the first or second child in the family.
• The scheme also provides annual scholarships to the girl child for attending school. The scholarship amount varies from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1000 per annum, depending on the class of study.
• The scheme aims to delay the age of marriage of the girl child, and to prevent early pregnancy and childbirth. The girl child is eligible for the withdrawal of the maturity amount, along with the interest, only if she remains unmarried till the age of 18 years.
• The scheme also aims to enhance the self-esteem and self-confidence of the girl child, and to equip her with basic life skills and vocational skills. The scheme provides opportunities for the girl child to participate in various activities, such as health and nutrition education, reproductive health education, legal literacy, leadership development, etc.

BSY is a scheme that aims to empower girls by providing financial assistance and education to families below the poverty line. It is a scheme that supports the vision of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and empowers girls to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

CBSE Udaan Scheme

CBSE Udaan Scheme is a project launched by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under the guidance of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in 2014. The project aims to address the low enrolment of girl students in prestigious engineering institutions and the teaching gap between school education and engineering entrance examinations. The project provides free online resources, mentoring, and scholarships to girl students of class 11 and 12 who want to pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Some of the features and benefits of the CBSE Udaan Scheme are:

• The project is open to Indian citizens residing in India only. All girl students studying in classes 11 and 12 in PCM stream in any board in India can apply based on the following eligibility criteria:
  • Minimum 70% marks in class 10 overall and 80% marks in science and mathematics; for boards which follow CGPA, a minimum CGPA of 8 and a GPA of 9 in science and mathematics.
  • For class 12 students, a minimum of 75% marks in PCM in class 11 in addition to the class 10 requirements.
  • Selection will be based on merit cum means.
  • Preference will be given to girl students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Reservation as per JEE (Advanced): OBC (NCL) – 27%, SC – 15%, ST – 7.5%, PWD – 3% of seats in every category.
  • The annual family income should be less than Rs. 6 lakhs per annum.
• The project provides free online and offline coaching, tutorials, lectures, and study material for preparation for IIT JEE and other engineering entrance exams. The project also provides tablets to the selected students to access the online resources.
• The project has a comprehensive assessment system to monitor the progress and performance of the students. The students can earn reward points based on their attendance, participation, and scores in the assessments. The reward points can be redeemed towards the fees in IITs and NITs.
• The project also provides financial assistance by means of scholarships to the selected students. The scholarship amount is Rs. 10,000 per year for class 11 and 12 students, and Rs. 20,000 per year for the first three years of undergraduate studies. The scholarship amount is increased to Rs. 50,000 per year for the fourth year of undergraduate studies, if the student is admitted to IIT or NIT.
• The project also provides a student helpline to enhance learning and to resolve the doubts and queries of the students. The project also provides periodic counselling to motivate the students and parents.
• The project also promotes the participation and leadership of girl students in decision-making processes, and amplifies their voices and perspectives in the media and public discourse.

CBSE Udaan Scheme is a project that aims to empower girl students by providing them with quality education and support to pursue their dreams and aspirations in STEM fields. The project also aims to increase the diversity and representation of women in engineering and technology sectors, and to enable them to take leadership roles in the future.

सुझाव :

• जन अभ्युदय सेवा फाउंडेशन के कैरियर गाइडेंस और मेंटरशिप प्रोग्राम से जुड़ने के लिए क्लिक करें
• स्वामी विवेकानन्द: भारत के युवाओं के लिए एक आदर्श लेख को पढ़ें।

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These are just some of the many examples of girls who have made a positive impact on their communities and the country.