11th October is International Day of the Girl Child
There were many who left before coming to the earth. One might be wondering what I am talking about? I am talking about many girls who could not be born as they were killed before taking birth. There are many changes now as strict rules and initiatives have helped in the change of mindset and attitude and we don’t hear news related to female foeticide in our country.
Globally there are 133 million girls out of school today and adolescent girls aged 15-19 are more likely to not be in education, employment or training than their male peers. Almost 4 in 10 adolescent girls and young women do not finish upper secondary school. Nearly 1 in 4 ever-married or partnered adolescent girls aged 15-19 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
More than one third of adolescent girls and boys aged 15-19 consider a husband to be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances while the percentage of underweight adolescent girls aged 10-19 has only declined slightly in the last three decades, from 10 per cent to 8 per cent. Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women.
All around the world, girls are stepping up to meet today’s biggest challenges. They are organizing in their communities, fighting for climate justice, demanding an end to violence and reimagining their futures. Girls are asking to be seen not only for the challenges they face, but for who they are and the solutions they bring. Yet, too often, their voices go unheard, their actions ignored, their needs and rights pushed aside.
In 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing, countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. The Beijing Declaration is the first to specifically call out girls’ rights.
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. Shaped through consultations with girls organizations, UN partners and, most importantly, girls themselves, the 2025 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis’.
There is no doubt that if effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations.
António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations in his messages said that “every girl, everywhere, deserves equality, opportunity, and dignity. On this International Day of the Girl Child, let’s commit to building a better world for girls.”
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, launched by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 22nd January, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana, has completed a decade of implementation. This flagship initiative by the Government of India aims to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR), prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination and promote the survival, protection and education of the girl child. The scheme has evolved to become one of the most impactful social initiatives by the Indian government.
All of us can contribute to empower our girls and we must take action and initiatives. We have seen how girls and women have brought laurels to our nation and moreover every homemaker has made a positive contribution in the society. On this international day let us stand with girls and support their leadership as our voice matters too. We must remember that when we invest in girls, we create a more equal, just and hopeful world – for everyone.
(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Ranjan K Baruah
Guwahati