International Day of the Girl Child 2025: Empowering Every Girl to Dream, Learn, and Lead : (Celebrating the Power and Potential of Every Girl).
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In India, this vision beautifully aligns with our own National Girl Child Day 2025 (celebrated on January 24) — a day that honors the strength, resilience, and potential of every daughter of our nation.
Ground Reality: Where India Stands
Female literacy rate has risen to 71.5%, up from 64.6% (NFHS-4). The child sex ratio (0–6 years) has improved, showing the positive impact of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. School enrollment of girls in secondary education has increased, and the dropout rate has reduced due to scholarships and digital learning access.Yet, challenges remain — especially in ensuring equal opportunities for girls in rural areas, addressing nutrition gaps, and improving access to STEM education and leadership roles.
Government Initiatives Empowering the Girl Child
The Indian government has introduced a series of path-breaking schemes aimed at the holistic empowerment of girls:
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP):
A flagship initiative launched in 2015 to address gender bias and promote education for girls. It focuses on changing mindsets, ensuring survival, protection, and education of the girl child. This program has launched in 2014-15 and is a tremendous success as sex-ratio has increased from 918 girls /1000 boys to 930 girls/1000 boys. Secondary eduction enrollment of girl child is also increased to 78%.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY):
A small savings scheme for the financial security of a girl’s future — encouraging parents to save for education and marriage expenses, offering one of the highest interest rates among savings plans. This scheme began on 22 January 2025 and now it has more than 4.1 cr accounts.
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National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:
The NEP strongly emphasizes gender inclusion, STEM participation, and flexible learning pathways for girls. Special provisions promote safe transport, hostels, and mentorship progras to reduce dropouts and enhance higher education access. After the launch of this program, GER of girls for primary education has increased up to 93%, dropout rates are decreased to 1.9% for primary, 5.2 % for upper primary and 14.1 % secondary schools. Reading proficiency has also increased up to 78% for primary sections.
The NEP strongly emphasizes gender inclusion, STEM participation, and flexible learning pathways for girls. Special provisions promote safe transport, hostels, and mentorship progras to reduce dropouts and enhance higher education access. After the launch of this program, GER of girls for primary education has increased up to 93%, dropout rates are decreased to 1.9% for primary, 5.2 % for upper primary and 14.1 % secondary schools. Reading proficiency has also increased up to 78% for primary sections.
Kishori Shakti Yojana & SABLA Scheme:
Focus on adolescent girls’ nutrition, education, and health awareness through skill-building and self-defense training.
One Stop Centers and Nirbhaya Fund:
Provide integrated support services for girls and women facing violence, ensuring safety and legal assistance.
Education: The Strongest Pillar of Empowerment
Provide integrated support services for girls and women facing violence, ensuring safety and legal assistance.
Education: The Strongest Pillar of Empowerment
Education remains the most powerful tool for Girl Child Empowerment in India.
Government and private partnerships are working to bridge the digital divide — introducing coding, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship programs for girls.With the National Education Policy 2020, the focus is shifting from rote learning to creativity, leadership, and innovation — enabling every girl to dream bigger and achieve more.
The Global Vision: UN and UNICEF Support
UNICEF continues to advocate for girls’ rights globally — ensuring that girls everywhere have access to quality education, menstrual hygiene, health care, and a life free from discrimination. India’s alignment with these global goals strengthens its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 5 – Gender Equality.
Empowering girls is not just a social responsibility — it’s an investment in the nation’s future.
As we mark International Day of the Girl Child 2025, let’s reaffirm our pledge to create a society where:
Every girl is valued and safe.
Every girl has equal opportunities for education and employment.
Every girl is financially and emotionally empowered to lead change.
Because when we empower one girl, we uplift an entire community.
Every girl is financially and emotionally empowered to lead change.
Because when we empower one girl, we uplift an entire community.