National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on:
Safeguarding the Girl Child Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India
Justice B.V. Nagarathna:
Today, a young girl in India can be said to be a truly equal citizen only when she can freely aspire to do anything that her male counterpart does, and receive the same quality of support and resources to do so. No barriers specific to her because of her gender should exist.
Put differently, the odds of her being born at all, having access to the right nutrition, care, education, and material resources, a secure and safe environment, developing a distinct sense of self, and being able to achieve whatever she sets her mind to, have to be equivalent to that of a boy child born in this country. She should not merely survive, but actively thrive.
Safeguarding the Girl Child Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India
Justice B.V. Nagarathna:
Today, a young girl in India can be said to be a truly equal citizen only when she can freely aspire to do anything that her male counterpart does, and receive the same quality of support and resources to do so. No barriers specific to her because of her gender should exist.
Put differently, the odds of her being born at all, having access to the right nutrition, care, education, and material resources, a secure and safe environment, developing a distinct sense of self, and being able to achieve whatever she sets her mind to, have to be equivalent to that of a boy child born in this country. She should not merely survive, but actively thrive.
Justice Nagarathna: The first barrier that a girl child in India faces is being born at all. Will she be born at all? It is an altogether unfortunate trope that most of us are familiar with. When a family eagerly awaits news of the birth of a child, some are disappointed at best and even dismayed at worst upon hearing that the child is a girl.
The child sex ratio of 0 to 6 years in India has only seen marginal improvement, going up from 914 girls for every 1000 boys in the 2011 Census to 929 girls for every 1000 boys in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). There are also recent concerning reports of worsening sex ratios caused by likely female infanticide or foeticide in certain States. Many of the States, however, have seen improvements in their sex ratios.
The child sex ratio of 0 to 6 years in India has only seen marginal improvement, going up from 914 girls for every 1000 boys in the 2011 Census to 929 girls for every 1000 boys in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). There are also recent concerning reports of worsening sex ratios caused by likely female infanticide or foeticide in certain States. Many of the States, however, have seen improvements in their sex ratios.
Justice Nagarathna: Next, access to quality nutrition as a critical facet of the girl child’s growth and development is important. Without adequate nourishment, all other measures undertaken to uplift the girl child may be in vain. Malnutrition, especially in the early years of a girl’s life, may go on to determine her health and quality of life for many decades.
According to the National Family Health Survey, statistics show that 59% of girls aged 15 to 19 years are found to be anaemic. It is often the case that girl children are deliberately fed lesser or lower-quality food than their brothers. While schemes such as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the Anemia Mukt Bharat Programme, and the Poshan Abhiyan have made several strides in ensuring access to quality nutrition for young girl children, it is important that the cascading and harmful effects of early malnutrition on the girl child’s ability to be physically active, think, and solve problems are sufficiently publicised.
A related requirement for access to quality nutrition is also access to exercise, play, and games.
The next issue is that of child marriage in India. In this regard, it is extremely commendable that as per successive National Family Health Surveys, the prevalence of child marriage has steadily declined from 47% in 2005–06 to 27% in 2015–16, and further to 23% in 2019–21. Over the course of the last 15 years, a combination of policy efforts and community engagement has led to an almost halving of the rate of child marriage in India. Through the enactment of laws such as the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and in accordance with India’s international obligations under the UN Conventions, State and Union Governments, occasionally with the collaboration of UNICEF, are undertaking several positive steps in this regard.
The need of the hour is to adopt holistic solutions that are adaptive and tailored to regional peculiarities so as to ensure that interventions undertaken are most effective.
According to the National Family Health Survey, statistics show that 59% of girls aged 15 to 19 years are found to be anaemic. It is often the case that girl children are deliberately fed lesser or lower-quality food than their brothers. While schemes such as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the Anemia Mukt Bharat Programme, and the Poshan Abhiyan have made several strides in ensuring access to quality nutrition for young girl children, it is important that the cascading and harmful effects of early malnutrition on the girl child’s ability to be physically active, think, and solve problems are sufficiently publicised.
A related requirement for access to quality nutrition is also access to exercise, play, and games.
The next issue is that of child marriage in India. In this regard, it is extremely commendable that as per successive National Family Health Surveys, the prevalence of child marriage has steadily declined from 47% in 2005–06 to 27% in 2015–16, and further to 23% in 2019–21. Over the course of the last 15 years, a combination of policy efforts and community engagement has led to an almost halving of the rate of child marriage in India. Through the enactment of laws such as the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and in accordance with India’s international obligations under the UN Conventions, State and Union Governments, occasionally with the collaboration of UNICEF, are undertaking several positive steps in this regard.
The need of the hour is to adopt holistic solutions that are adaptive and tailored to regional peculiarities so as to ensure that interventions undertaken are most effective.
Justice Nagarathna: There is a famous saying that when you educate a girl, you educate a nation. I often think what I would have become if I had not attended school or college. Quality education functions as the fulcrum not only for the empowerment of the girl child but also for the prosperity of the nation. For India to one day become the global superpower that it aspires to be, it must ensure that the young girls of today are sufficiently supported to become the women of the future who will shape the trajectory of the country.
Justice BV Nagarathna: There are several dropouts from school. What are the reasons why young girls drop out from school? The girl child may be expected to sacrifice her education in its entirety or study a course that she is not very interested in, so as to ensure that her brother is able to pursue his dreams. Thus, it is crucial that such very genuine factors are adequately and quickly addressed.
But I must say that there is a jump in the number of students studying at the secondary level from 56% to 77%. But in the higher secondary level, there are great dropouts. Education, thus being provided, must be free of stereotypes, bias, and ideology and must be able to mould individuals into those who want to go on to become upstanding members of society.
But I must say that there is a jump in the number of students studying at the secondary level from 56% to 77%. But in the higher secondary level, there are great dropouts. Education, thus being provided, must be free of stereotypes, bias, and ideology and must be able to mould individuals into those who want to go on to become upstanding members of society.
Justice Nagarathna: Violence against the girl child may take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual violence. It is alarming to know that with the advent of digital technologies, novel ways in which such violence may be perpetrated against young girls are ever-evolving. It is widely acknowledged that most perpetrators in such forms of violence are known to the child victim.
The consequences of violence and neglect are lifelong. In fact, it is stated that there are statistics that in the 15–29 age group, there are many suicides among girls. These represent shortened childhoods, broken families, and lost potential.
Both the judiciary and law enforcement agencies play a vital role in handling cases of violence against girl children. We must expand trauma-informed and child-sensitive procedures in our courts and police stations. In the name of an inquiry or a court process, a child victim must not be re-traumatised or suffer secondary trauma. We must also strengthen monitoring of the implementation of the various Acts wherein justice is not only swift but also sensitive and tailored to the best interests of the concerned child.
I do not wish to take time to go into the statistics with regard to what is called human trafficking, and particularly the trafficking of girl children, but I would only say that the statistics reveal that out of 10,659 cases of human trafficking between the years 2018 and 2022, only 4.8% of individuals arrested were convicted.
It is also necessary to remind ourselves that if there is a delay in the payment of victim compensation at the initial stage, there will be vulnerability of the girl child and also a likelihood of forced depositions.
I would be remiss not to acknowledge many of the milestones that have been achieved in the past decade. There has been a nationwide expansion of Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Units, and Special Juvenile Police Units, ensuring that statutory frameworks are functioning across the country. Most districts in the country have child-friendly courts, legal aid clinics, and para-legal volunteers who are extending access to justice to children, including those in child care institutions.
The policy ecosystem too has grown stronger. Initiatives like Mission Vatsalya, Mission Shakti, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Programme, the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram, and the Poshan Abhiyan have provided a robust foundation. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, now in its tenth year, aims at shifting community perceptions of the value of the girl child and driving localized and multi-sectoral district action plans to prevent child marriage and promote adolescent empowerment.
This national consultation is a culmination of the efforts carried out at both the Union and State levels over so many years by various stakeholders. I see this consultation as more than just a meeting. It is a platform for commitment. It is an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, to confront what still hinders, and to agree on the concrete steps that will carry us forward.
On this occasion, I would like to remind myself of the ninth round of the National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on Child Protection. Many of you in the audience here had come last year also, which was in September 2024, on protecting the rights of children dealing with disability and the intersectionality of disabilities across Indian states, making important strides towards disability-inclusive protection services.
The consequences of violence and neglect are lifelong. In fact, it is stated that there are statistics that in the 15–29 age group, there are many suicides among girls. These represent shortened childhoods, broken families, and lost potential.
Both the judiciary and law enforcement agencies play a vital role in handling cases of violence against girl children. We must expand trauma-informed and child-sensitive procedures in our courts and police stations. In the name of an inquiry or a court process, a child victim must not be re-traumatised or suffer secondary trauma. We must also strengthen monitoring of the implementation of the various Acts wherein justice is not only swift but also sensitive and tailored to the best interests of the concerned child.
I do not wish to take time to go into the statistics with regard to what is called human trafficking, and particularly the trafficking of girl children, but I would only say that the statistics reveal that out of 10,659 cases of human trafficking between the years 2018 and 2022, only 4.8% of individuals arrested were convicted.
It is also necessary to remind ourselves that if there is a delay in the payment of victim compensation at the initial stage, there will be vulnerability of the girl child and also a likelihood of forced depositions.
I would be remiss not to acknowledge many of the milestones that have been achieved in the past decade. There has been a nationwide expansion of Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Units, and Special Juvenile Police Units, ensuring that statutory frameworks are functioning across the country. Most districts in the country have child-friendly courts, legal aid clinics, and para-legal volunteers who are extending access to justice to children, including those in child care institutions.
The policy ecosystem too has grown stronger. Initiatives like Mission Vatsalya, Mission Shakti, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Programme, the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram, and the Poshan Abhiyan have provided a robust foundation. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, now in its tenth year, aims at shifting community perceptions of the value of the girl child and driving localized and multi-sectoral district action plans to prevent child marriage and promote adolescent empowerment.
This national consultation is a culmination of the efforts carried out at both the Union and State levels over so many years by various stakeholders. I see this consultation as more than just a meeting. It is a platform for commitment. It is an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, to confront what still hinders, and to agree on the concrete steps that will carry us forward.
On this occasion, I would like to remind myself of the ninth round of the National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on Child Protection. Many of you in the audience here had come last year also, which was in September 2024, on protecting the rights of children dealing with disability and the intersectionality of disabilities across Indian states, making important strides towards disability-inclusive protection services.
Justice Nagarathna: I will only cite a few examples since the detailed report is awaited. In Odisha, state-wide disability services are being launched to identify and track children with disabilities, including those in child care institutions, with counsellors trained across all districts and art-based therapy integrated for trauma-informed care. Uttar Pradesh is reaching children through weekly screening and certification camps, linking them to assistive devices and support services. Manipur has expanded inclusive education through residential special schools, resource rooms, and home-based learning, while Chhattisgarh has strengthened multi-departmental efforts and extended its disability pension scheme for children.
For want of time, I would not give more examples, but many States are working towards inclusivity in the area of disability as per last year’s consultation. Together, these initiatives reflect India’s commitment to building a protection system that is inclusive, responsive, and grounded in dignity for every child.
For want of time, I would not give more examples, but many States are working towards inclusivity in the area of disability as per last year’s consultation. Together, these initiatives reflect India’s commitment to building a protection system that is inclusive, responsive, and grounded in dignity for every child.
CJI BR Gavai: The protection and empowerment of the girl child, therefore, is an essential element of the Constitution’s transformative vision. Safeguarding a girl child, in this context, means nurturing her voice, curiosity, ambitions, and sense of self-worth. It means ensuring she can learn without fear, dream without limitation, and participate fully in the life of her community and nation. When our laws, policies, and institutions create these conditions, they not only protect an individual girl but uphold the very promise of our Republic.
CJI: ...despite these constitutional and legal guarantees, many girls across India continue to be tragically denied their fundamental rights and even basic necessities for survival. This vulnerability exposes them to disproportionately high risks of sexual abuse, exploitation, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, malnutrition, sex-selective abortions, trafficking, and child marriage against their will. This demands a deeper examination of the social, economic, and cultural barriers that continue to impede girls’ lives. Furthermore, in today’s technological era, where innovation defines progress, it is important to recognize that technology, though empowering, also brings new vulnerabilities, especially for the girl child. The threats faced by young girls are no longer confined to physical spaces, they extend into the vast and often unregulated digital world.
CJI: Our institutions, policy frameworks, and enforcement authorities must therefore be attuned to the realities of our times. Training programs for police officers, educators, health professionals, and local administrators should consequently incorporate a sensitive approach, equipping them to respond with empathy, nuance, and contextual understanding.. Laws addressing online sexual exploitation, digital trafficking, and cyber harassment must be paired with effective enforcement, education, and awareness initiatives. Protecting the girl child must become a core priority of digital governance, ensuring that technological progress is accompanied by ethical safeguards. As we advance into a digital future, technology must serve as a tool for liberation rather than exploitation.
CJI: Too often, well-meaning citizens, upon encountering a trafficked, abandoned, or abused girl, simply do not know what exactly they can do. This lack of awareness limits the effectiveness of existing frameworks and delays timely care and rehabilitation for the affected child..
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