The Fate of a Girl Child in India

17/01/17

blog

64

India has made remarkable strides in reshaping societal attitudes toward the girl child. Once at risk of being aborted due to sex-selective practices, girls today are increasingly welcomed with pride and joy. This shift has been driven by strong legislation prohibiting prenatal sex testing and extensive awareness campaigns promoting gender equity. Initiatives like the government’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme have played a crucial role in addressing deep-rooted girl child issues in India, ensuring that girls are given the same opportunities as boys. The improved sex ratio reflects this progress, showing that more families now recognise the value of daughters in society.

Education: a pathway to empowerment

Education is a fundamental driver of change for the girl child in India. In the past, daughters were often considered a liability, leading to low school enrollment and early dropouts. However, this perception is shifting, with families now recognising the immense potential of educating girls. Consequently, increased enrollment rates, particularly in rural areas, are a reality that evidences this transformation. Dedicated scholarships, free books, and improved school infrastructure, facilitated by government policies, ensure that more girls stay in school. As a result, access to primary and secondary education has significantly improved, equipping girls with the knowledge and skills to shape their own futures. These are some of the ways that education is being used to tackle problems faced by girl child in India.

Overcoming societal barriers

Beyond education, empowering girls requires tackling systemic barriers that limit their opportunities. Early marriage, once a widespread norm, is now being actively challenged through policy interventions and community-driven awareness programs. The government, alongside various organisations, has implemented measures to reduce dropout rates and provide vocational training, ensuring that girls are not forced to abandon their aspirations. Today, more young women are pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, and breaking stereotypes in fields ranging from science and technology to entrepreneurship. Despite this progress, some of the girl child issues in India remain, particularly concerning gender-based violence and workplace discrimination, which hinder the full realisation of their potential. Addressing these barriers requires continued efforts from all sectors of society.

Read Also: Girl Child Education – Key to Freeing Girls from Social Barriers

Collective efforts

The transformation of the girl child’s journey in India is not solely the result of government policies but also a reflection of collective efforts across society. Parents, educators, communities, and NGOs have taken on the responsibility of ensuring that girls receive the opportunities they deserve. Child NGO in India organisations, like Bal Raksha Bharat, have played a key role in this movement. Through its advocacy for girls’ rights, education initiatives, and programs to combat child marriage, the organisation has helped create safer and more supportive environments for young girls. Moreover, the role of every child NGO in India extends beyond policy advocacy to real, on-ground interventions that uplift vulnerable girls and empower them to lead better lives.

With sustained efforts from all sections of society, every girl can have the chance to dream, learn, and lead. By ensuring equal opportunities, breaking barriers, and fostering a culture of inclusion, India is paving the way for a future where girls stand on equal footing with boys, shaping the nation’s progress with their strength and aspirations. While many problems of girl child in India have been tackled, ongoing focus is necessary to eliminate lingering inequalities. Addressing the problems faced by girl child in India requires continuous collaboration between governments, communities, and NGOs, ensuring that every girl has the support she needs to reach her full potential.

Bal Raksha Bharat, also known as Save the Children India, a well-known child NGO in India, implements a broad array of initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering the girl child across India. Their comprehensive approach spans educational enhancements through scholarships and specialised programmes to boost girls’ literacy and economic status. The health and nutrition efforts of this NGO in India focus on improving developmental outcomes and tackling issues in sectors employing women and girls. To combat child marriage, they execute programmes like ‘Marriage: No Child’s Play,’ which have successfully reduced this practice in targeted regions. Additionally, they address the resilience of communities, especially women and girls, to cope with disasters and climate change through educational and community-led resilience programmes. Advocacy campaigns like ‘#AllyUpForHer’ further highlight and address violence against women and girls, fostering a shift towards gender equality. Through these efforts, Bal Raksha Bharat plays a pivotal role in advancing the safety, education, and empowerment of girls.

Gaurav Sharma

Content Reviewer

“I am an editor and technical specialist at Bal Raksha Bharat, responsible for publishing articles and posts. My role involves evaluating content for consistency, and ensuring a positive user experience across the website."