National Girl Child Day is observed yearly on January 24th in India. The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched it in 2008 to raise awareness about the rights and well-being of young girls.
This day holds a great significance in history as it focusses on topics such as female foeticide, child marriage, gender inequality, and access to education. Its goal is to provide equal chances for girls in education and career development. The commemoration emphasises the need of empowering females through government initiatives and community engagement. It aims to confront and modify cultural conventions and stereotypes that impede the advancement of female children.
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Let’s have a look on government policies for encouraging girlchild and embracing womenhood
1. Working Women Hostels (1972-73)
• Objective: To provide safe and affordable accommodation for working women and their children. Priority given to single women and mothers of girl children in this facilities include daycare services for young children.
2. Kishori Shakti Yojana (November 1,1991)
• Objective: To empower adolescent girls with better nutrition, education, and life skills providing them with Nutrition and health awareness programs for girls aged 11-18 with Vocational training for self-reliance and skill development
3. Balika Samriddhi Yojana (1997)
• Objective: To improve the social status of girls and encourage families to educate them and provide Scholarships for girls studying up to the 10th standard and Financial incentives provided to families for their daughters education.
4. Ladli Scheme (1st January 2008)
• Objective: To offer financial assistance to families raising girl children and reduce financial burdens related to their education and upbringing. Available in states like Delhi and Haryana offering Monetary benefits provided at various stages of a girl’s life, including birth, schooling, and adulthood.
5. National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (May, 2008)
• Objective: To encourage girls from backward and minority communities to continue their education beyond the 8th grade. A fixed deposit of ₹3000 provided, which can be accessed upon completing 10th grade
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6. Dhanalakshmi Scheme (3rd March 2008)
• Objective: To promote the birth and education of girl children. Conditional cash transfers for families supporting the education and health of girl children. Incentives provided for school enrollment, immunization, and higher education
7. CBSE Udaan Scheme (Nov 14, 2014)
• Objective: To provide free resources and mentorship to girl students preparing for engineering entrance exams including Online study material and expert guidance with Scholarships and career support for selected meritorious students.
8. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (22nd January 2015)
• Objective: To prevent gender-biased sex selection and promote the survival, protection, and education of the girl child. And to protect the girl child and prevent inhuman acts like feticide and female infanticide
9. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (22 January 2015)
• Objective: To provide financial security for the future of the girl child through savings. A government-backed savings scheme for girls under 10 years of age with Attractive interest rates and tax benefits under Section 80C and Funds can be withdrawn for higher education or marriage after the girl turns 18.
10. Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav (International Women’s Day 8th March 2022)
• Objective: To bring out-of-school adolescent girls back into formal education or skill-based training programs.A collaborative effort by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Education that Focus on reducing early school dropouts and promoting education.