Ramesh Sarraf Dhamora
International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance declared by the United Nations. The first day of the girl child was celebrated on October 11, 2012. Since then, International Day of the Girl Child has been celebrated every year on October 11th across the world. International Day of the Girl Child raises awareness about the gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based on their gender. This inequality includes areas such as education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence against women, and forced child marriage.
The theme for International Day of the Girl Child 2025 is “I am a girl, I lead change. Girls on the front lines of crisis.” This theme focuses on the perseverance, leadership, and empowerment of girls in crisis situations. This theme highlights the challenges girls face, such as conflict, climate change, and inequalities. This theme emphasizes recognizing girls not just as victims of crisis but as agents of change. It calls for investment in education, health, and safety so that they can build a better and more inclusive world.
Despite girls’ advancement in every field, they remain victims of numerous social evils. These evils hinder their progress. Even educated people and an aware society are not immune to this problem. Every year, millions of girls are killed in the womb before they are even born. Discrimination between sons and daughters persists in many homes. Daughters are not given the same quality food and education as sons. Daughters are still considered a burden in society.
In India, three to seven lakh female fetuses are aborted every year. Consequently, the number of men here is 50 million more than women. Despite constant changes in society and the increasing role of women in the workforce, conservative people believe that a son will provide support in old age, and if a daughter is born, she will go to her home. If the son does not perform the last rites, the rituals will not be complete.
The increase in the sex ratio at birth in the country over the past few years is a positive sign. In response to a question in Parliament, the Minister of Women and Child Development stated that the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has awakened collective consciousness to change the mindset of the public to accept the rights of girls. This is reflected in the 12-point improvement in the sex ratio at birth (SRB) at the national level, which was 918 in 2014 and increased by 12 points to 930 in 2023-24.
It is a great irony in our country that we worship the girl child, but when a girl is born in our own home, we become sad. This can be seen everywhere in the country. In many states, the birth of a girl child is even considered a curse. But why do those who consider girls a curse forget that they are citizens of a country where brave women like Rani Lakshmibai sacrificed their lives for the nation?
Even today, in our country, as soon as a daughter is born, the concern for her marriage becomes more pressing than her upbringing. Due to the increasingly expensive weddings, a father is constantly worried about how to arrange for his daughter’s wedding. This prevailing mindset has prevented female foeticide. The killing of female babies in the womb has led to a significant shortage of girls in society, leading to a skewed sex ratio.
If daughters receive proper education and respect in society, they will not lag behind in any field. Therefore, there is nothing wrong in saying that the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is not a scheme but a responsibility of all of us. If we all want to build a good society, it is our duty to educate our daughters in a fear-free environment. Make them so strong that they can proudly say that look, she is our daughter who is doing such a great work.
Today, girls are no less than boys in any field. They are successfully performing even the most difficult tasks. Women’s power can be seen working courageously in every field in the country. Through their hard work and dedication, girls have proven themselves in many fields and sectors. They are more talented, obedient, hardworking, and responsible for their families and their lives. Girls are more caring and loving towards their families and parents, and they give their best in every task. Women also play a vital role in the national economy. They play a crucial role in the labor force and contribute to the growth and development of businesses.
On one hand, daughters are abandoned to die as soon as they are born. Meanwhile, there are girls like Mohana Singh of Jhunjhunu district who are raising the prestige of the district across the country by flying fighter planes. Everyone in society should pledge to not discriminate between boys and girls and to raise awareness about gender equality. Every day, incidents of rape and harassment of girls in India make headlines. Girls don’t feel safe anywhere, be it at home, school, or workplace. Savage wolves are always watching them, attacking them at any opportunity. How can the girls of this country progress in such an environment?
Educated members of society must come forward and create an environment to stop the heinous practice of female foeticide. They must educate those who practice it and change their mindset. People must pledge to neither kill a girl in the womb nor allow anyone else to do so. Only then will it be possible to stop female foeticide in the country. The government and society must work together to create an environment where girls can feel safe. Recognizing and promoting the importance of girls is essential for the development of society and the nation.
We all know how important a girl is to society. She plays many important roles as a mother, a daughter, and a wife. She is considered the pillar of peace in the home, yet she is often disrespected. Women play a key role in the lineage of procreation, yet from ancient societies to so-called modern societies, they have remained neglected.
The future of our society depends on how we treat and value our girls today. Empowering girls through education, health care, legal protection, and social empowerment is not only a moral obligation but also a vital necessity for social development. We must ensure that girls have equal opportunities to grow and learn. Only then will we be able to create a balanced, just, and prosperous society.
(The author is a freelance journalist)
