National Girl Child Day: History, Theme, and
Initiatives
National Girl Child Day: A Step
Toward Gender Equality
The
Theme for National Girl Child Day 2025
The
theme for 2025 is “Empowering
Girls for a Bright Future.” This theme highlights the need to
help girls realize their potential by ensuring equal access to education,
healthcare, and opportunities. By addressing the barriers girls face and
recognizing their essential role in society, this year’s theme encourages
collective efforts toward achieving gender equality.
Government Schemes and Financial
Support for Girl Children
The
government and NGOs have introduced several initiatives to empower girls and
secure their future. Here are some of the key schemes and investment options:
1. Government
Schemes
·
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana: Focuses on
improving the education and survival rates of girl children.
·
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): A savings scheme
for girls under the age of 10. Parents or guardians can open an account in
their name to save for future expenses like education or marriage. It offers a
competitive interest rate of 8.2%
per annum (as of 2024), compounded yearly.
o
Example:
Investing Rs. 1,000 per month (Rs. 12,000 annually) will grow significantly
over time.
o
A
monthly investment of Rs. 5,000 for 15 years results in a total investment of
Rs. 9,00,000, with substantial maturity benefits.
· Balika Samridhi Yojana: Provides financial assistance for education and welfare.
2. NGO Support
Organizations
like Child Fund India,
CRY (Child Rights and
You), and Plan
India work to provide financial aid and educational
opportunities for girls, ensuring they have a chance to build a better future.
Smart
Investment Plans for Girl Children
Securing a
girl child’s future involves strategic investments. Here are some of the best
options:
1. Sukanya Samriddhi
Yojana (SSY)
2. Post Office Term
Deposit (POTD)
3. Post Office Recurring
Deposit (PORD)
4. National Savings
Certificate (NSC)
5. Public Provident Fund
(PPF)
6. Children Gift Mutual
Funds
7. Systematic Investment
Plans (SIPs)
8. Gold ETFs
For
example, a parent investing Rs. 1.2 lakh annually (Rs. 10,000 per month) at an
interest rate of 8.2%
per year in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana can expect a maturity
amount of approximately Rs. 55.61 lakhs after 21 years, with a total investment
of Rs. 17.93 lakhs.
International Day of the Girl Child
The United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child in 2011. This day aims to highlight the challenges girls face globally, promote empowerment, and advocate for the fulfillment of their human rights.
Conclusion
National
Girl Child Day is more than just a celebration; it’s a call to action. By
investing in education, healthcare, and opportunities for girls, we pave the
way for a brighter, more equitable future. Whether it’s through government
schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana or community efforts, every step counts
in empowering girls and building a better society for all.
Let’s
come together to create a world where every girl has the tools to achieve her
dreams!
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