The life chart of a disadvantaged girl child reflects strong elements of discrimination at every step of her life-first being her very survival, on account of high incidence of foeticide. If she survives, she is given little or no access to education, nutrition health or other essential services; she is highly vulnerable to abuse particularly sexual abuse, domestic labour, trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, child marriage, early motherhood, frequent pregnancy and delivery etc.

The poor status of the girl child is evident form the fact that the fact that adverse human development indicators such as Child Sex ratio is 927 girls per 1000 boys in 2001 from 945 girls per 1000 boys in 1991; Child marriage (before age of 18 years) - is estimated at 44:5% ; drop in gross enrollment ratio for girls in higher classes (57% for classes 6th to 8th and 34% in classes 9th to 12th); Dropout rates for girls from school, especially in secondary school is estimated at 65%.

The planning process in the country has emphasized the need for welfare development and protection of girl child.

A number of legislation specifically aimed to protect the Girl Child such as Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection)Act 1994 (PC and PNDT Act) have been enacted.

The National Policy for Children 1974 commits that the State will assume responsibility for the well-being of children 'both before and after birth'. The National Charter for Children 2003, makes special mention of the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of girl children. The National Common Minimum Programme specifically states that the government will protect the rights of children, and extend special care to the girl child. The National Plan of Action for Children 2005 accords specific priority to the girl child. Educated and healthy girls play a very important role in improving the over all indicators of the development.

A number of schemes and programmes has  been launched by the government like Dhanalakshmi-Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme for Girl Child with Insurance cover was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on 4th December, 2007. The objective of the proposed Scheme is two fold-

• The direct and tangible objective is to provide a set of staggered financial incentives for families to encourage them to retain the girl child and educate her etc.

•  The more subtle and intangible objective is to change the attitudinal mindset of the family towards the girl child.

Educated and healthy girls play a very important role in improving the overall indicators of the development.

Apart from cash transfers, an insurance (maturity) cover will be provided for the girl child at birth (based on a cutoff date) as a safety net and also to enable the girl to receive a lump sum at the age of 18 years. Provided she is unmarried.

Kishori Shakti Yojana provides specific inputs for adolescent girl and their empowerment. The proposed Integrated Child  Protection Scheme envisages a  special appointed Palna or Cradle Centers supported by States are being set-up where unwanted female babies can be left.

Ujjawala, a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re-Integration of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation is being implemented to prevent girl children from being trafficked and also to rehabilitate victims,  mostly girls by providing holistic interventions including economic rehabilitation.

To Highlight the plight of the country's Girl Child, and in a bid to create awareness about welfare and empowerment of Girl Child,24th January has been declared as National Girl Child Day. It was 24th January when Late Smt. Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the first woman Prime Minister of India, the triumph of the Girl Child.

The aim is to sensitize for woman empowerment and welfare of children at grassroot level.

India Post is happy to join hand in this campaign by issuing commemorative  postage stamp on 24th January, National Girl Child Day.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India