National Girl Child Day is celebrated on January 24 to raise awareness about gender inequality in the country. It also highlights the prejudice and injustice they face. The Ministry of Women and Child Development established the National Girl Child Day in 2008. It highlights the discrimination girls face on a day-to-day basis in our society.
As per the ministry, the day spreads awareness about the various rights of a girl, eliminates gender biases, and stresses the importance of education, nutrition, and health. On this day, several events are organised in different cities across the country to honour girls.
As part of the celebrations last year, the Ministry of Women and Child Development made this event a 'jan bhagidari', wherein states and Union Territories were requested to organise activities relating to valuing the girl child. It is important to invest and plan systemically to secure your child's financial future. There are several schemes — investment options and other incentives — that the central government and the state governments offer for children, especially daughters.
Here's a look at some of these schemes:
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
As part of this savings scheme, backed by the central government, parents can open an account after the birth of a girl child till she turns 10. A minimum of ₹250 and a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh can be deposited into the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account during a financial year.
The account shall mature on completion of 21 years from the date of opening or till the marriage of the girl after she turns 18. The central government revises the interest rate of this scheme quarterly.
UDAAN CBSE scholarship program
This scheme was launched by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under the aegis of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to address the low enrolment of female students in prestigious engineering institutions. It also addresses the teaching gap between school education and engineering entrance examinations.
Girl students studying in Classes XI of KVs/ NVs/government schools of any recognized board/CBSE affiliated private schools in India are eligible to apply for this scheme. The selection will be based on merit. A minimum of 70% marks in Class X overall and 80% marks in Science and Mathematics for Boards that follow CGPA, a minimum CGPA of 8, and a GPA of 9 in Science and Mathematics is required.
National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education
This centrally sponsored scheme was launched in May 2008 to give incentives to students enrolled in Class IX. Its objective is to establish an enabling environment to promote enrolment and reduce dropout of girls belonging to SC/ST communities in secondary schools and ensure their retention up to the age of 18 years.
As part of this scheme, ₹3,000 is deposited in the name of eligible unmarried girls as a fixed deposit on enrolment in Class IX. They can withdraw the amount along with interest after reaching 18 years of age and passing the Class X examination.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched this scheme on January 22, 2015. It addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women's empowerment over a life-cycle continuum. Some of the key elements of the scheme include enforcement of the PC & PNDT Act and multi-sectoral action in select 100 districts, which are low on CSR.
Balika Samridhi Yojana
The scholarship scheme provides financial aid to girl children in families below the poverty line. Under this scheme, ₹500 is provided after the birth of the daughter, while every year scholarship is given for her studies.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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