On the occasion of National Girl Child Day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated the government's commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for them.
Earlier in the day, Opposition Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended wishes and said that "gender equality is the basis of true progress".
Kharge further stated that observance of National Girl Child Day is a reminder to rededicate ourselves towards ending gender discrimination and providing every girl with the opportunities she deserves.
He said: "Gender equality is the basis of true progress. Congress-UPA established National Girl Child Day in 2008, rooted in India's constitutional principles. Let the observance of National Girl Child Day become a reminder to rededicate ourselves towards ending gender discrimination and providing every girl with the opportunities she deserves – education, healthcare, safety, and proper nutrition."
National Girl Child Day, marked every year on January 24 in India, is a significant occasion dedicated to highlighting the rights, education and welfare of girls. Initiated in 2008, by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the day aims to raise awareness about the importance of empowering girls and creating an environment where they can thrive without the barriers of gender discrimination.
According to an official release from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, National Girl Child Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights of girls and ensure they are provided with equal opportunities and support, free from gender biases. The day also seeks to highlight the inequalities faced by girls, promote education for them and encourage society to value and respect girls as equals.
A key focus is on changing societal attitudes towards girls, addressing issues like female foeticide, raising awareness about the declining sex ratio and fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for the girl child.
(ANI)