National Girl Child Day, 24th January,2026
National Girl Child Day, 24th January,2026
Many times when I wanted to do something new for myself, especially when I was younger, I would face some disapproving looks from my parents, as if I were going to deviate from their expectations and desires.
Growing up in a middle-class family with a sole earning member and without a solid financial background, many of us face a lack of resources to help us fulfill our dreams; yes, it is true.
As the youngest and only girl among my five siblings, I admit I did not receive as much attention from my parents as my brothers did, although I was academically better than they were.
My mother (sorry, mummy, I am writing my story here, and you are not the villain of my life) was so conservative, she still is conservative, but far less than the time when I was young.
Yes, on the occasion of National Girl Child Day, 24th January, 2026, I couldn’t resist sharing my experiences as a daughter with my readers.
On January 24, 2026, in honor of National Girl Child Day, I feel an urge to share my deeply personal experiences as a daughter. Growing up, I learned invaluable lessons about strength, resilience, and the importance of pursuing my dreams. Each moment—whether it was the laughter shared during family gatherings or the challenges faced in seeking independence—has profoundly shaped my identity.
I am reflecting on these experiences and the unique journey that has defined my life as a daughter.
Balancing dreams and expectations amidst social scrutiny is part of our daily lives, and there is no doubt that this treatment meted out to us by society makes our lives extremely uncomfortable.
Lucky were those girls whose parents started thinking about their education and career. Although they were skeptical about the outcome, they showed faith in their daughters and didn’t succumb to social pressure. The result is that their daughters achieve new milestones, while others continue to live in the same old way as their parents.
Feminism: Then & Now
Feminism is a movement that advocates equal rights and opportunities for women.
Simply starting with the word ‘Feminine’, in English in 1851, the word transformed into ‘Feminism’ around 1895, with a motto to promote and advocate for women’s rights.
This was the time when women did not even have the right to vote in any country in the world.
This was the time when women did not even have the right to vote in any country in the world.
Literally, women didn’t have their own representative anywhere in the world, which is why they raised the issue, asking for a fair share in social arrangements as well as in politics.
The struggle was indeed tough for the women who, despite constituting almost half the population, had no one to represent them realistically.
Feminism emerged as a powerful movement aimed at advocating for women’s rights and meeting their needs.
However, over time, it has unfortunately transformed into a vehicle that can oppress others in society, straying from its original mission of empowerment and support for women.
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Back in my days, whenever, I used to go out either to my college or coaching centre or to meet my friends, my mother used to enquire every single detail. That was the time when we didn’t have mobile phones like today.
This irritated me so much that I always argued with my mother regarding her overbearing enquiries.
But then, a gangrape in Bokaro (now in Jharkhand) shook the entire nation.
Rape incidents are a black blot on the entire humanity, aren’t they?
Earlier, rape incidents used to be very serious; in most cases, the accused was not a big name, but nowadays people with political influence are found more involved in such cases, and I don’t know why.
Crime Against Women – Ministry of Home Affairs | Government of India
It’s so unfortunate that girls, women, and even little kids are unsafe in the modern world, and most of the perpetrators have solid political support. In most cases, victims and their families suffer in silence instead of the accused.
Statistics – National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
We should aspire to be a more enlightened race, one that prioritizes the essence of the human spirit. It is essential that every individual in society feels secure and valued, regardless of their position, power, or material wealth.
Violence against women – World Health Organization (WHO)
So now that I’m a mother myself, I hardly feel the same way about my daughter’s safety as my mother once did about mine. Unfortunately, society has become so ruthless that our daughter’s safety is at the top of our every priority list.
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: Caring for the Girl Child
All the celebratory days involving girls, women, and children are a total waste, as the world has turned into a tormentor for them, and all the data anywhere in the world is echoing my sentiment regarding the safety issues of the most precious chunk of the population.
Women make up almost half the world’s population, around 49.6% to 50%, with slight variations depending on the source and year, though there are slightly more males globally (about 102 men for every 100 women).
But in many of the developing countries, women are not receiving the position, respect, and power that they indeed deserve.
This is sad, but for real.
I personally have so many incidents where I vowed to refrain from going out without male family members, and I even left my coaching classes midway because of some stalking by the boys I didn’t even know.
Public transport is also not safe. I used to cycle about 14 km to go to college because I was afraid of being touched by co-passengers sitting with me, and I was also petrified of unnecessary criticism if I raised my voice.
Being safe is one thing, and returning safely after a gruelling college session is another thing, isn’t it?
Staying home may be safe, but how can that be possible when predators in gentle attire are swarming? The twist of the situation is that females are treated as weaker, and judging them for no fault from their side is the easiest thing one can do to get away after committing some sexual offence against them.
So, What’s New, Sir?
In India, no one has forgotten the Nirbhaya case, in which a 23-year-old female was gangraped by six people riding in a bus in Delhi.
This case was so gruesome that one can’t express anger in a few words.
It was high time for the Indian Government to implement stricter laws and regulations, including an even more stringent POCSO Act.
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (popularly known as the Nirbhaya Act) is an Indian legislation passed by the Lok Sabha on 19 March 2013, and by the Rajya Sabha on 21 March 2013.
One year after the law, India voted for the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, and common people like us hoped for something good in terms of crime against women and children in India.
| Rape cases in India 2015-2024 | |
|---|---|
| Year | Reported Rape Cases |
| 2015 | 34000 |
| 2016 | 31677 |
| 2017 | 32599 |
| 2018 | 34000 |
| 2019 | 32033 |
| 2020 | 28046 |
| 2021 | 31677 |
| 2022 | 31516 |
| 2023 | 29670 |
| 2024 | 30000 |
Conclusion
Struggling to find a sense of purpose as a woman in society, where I didn’t get seamless support from anyone I relied on or whose life revolved around, I am still confused, as my daughter is also struggling for the same validation, though this time she has me beside her on the journey.
It’s not about any clash of interest among feminism, anti-feminism, masculinism, and there is nothing with the idea of patriarchal system or matriarchal system. At the same time, it is not about women’s suffrage.
It’s all about the sufferings in silence of half of the total population.
As women courageously amplify their voices to demand equality and justice, they frequently encounter intensified opposition, social backlash, and personal sacrifices. The struggle for their rights often comes with significant emotional and physical tolls, underscoring the stark reality that, despite their resilience and determination, they may endure even greater suffering in their fight for empowerment and recognition.
As much as technology is progressing, many new laws are being made, awareness programs are being conducted, and preference is being given to women in institutions; in the same proportion, the incidents of atrocities against women are also increasing, which is very sad.
National Girl Child Day (India) 2026
National Girl Child Day, 24th January 2026
I know that all the hue and cry regarding girl children goes in vain, all the larger-than-life posters are just eye-wash, all the welfare schemes are merely a blatant try to siphon away the money.
At the end of the story, no messiah can effectively stop all the tormenting practices happening in society, irrespective of caste, creed, region, religion, or other bases.
We don’t know when our struggle started or when it will end, making it pointless to expect anything positive.
What Do We Talk About When We Talk About Girls?
National Girl Child Day, 24th January 2026
Many times when I wanted to do something new for myself, especially when I was younger, I would face some disapproving looks from my parents, as if I were going to deviate from their expectations and desires. Growing up in a middle-class family with a sole earning member and without a solid financial background, many of us face a lack of resources to help us fulfill our dreams—yes, it is true.
As the youngest and only girl among my five siblings, I admit I did not receive as much attention from my parents as my brothers did, although I was academically better than they were. My mother—sorry, mummy, I am writing my story here, and you are not the villain of my life—was so conservative, she still is conservative, but far less than the time when I was young.
Yes, on the occasion of National Girl Child Day, 24th January, 2026, I couldn’t resist sharing my experiences as a daughter with my readers.[file:1]
Feminism: Then and Now
Feminism is a movement that advocates equal rights and opportunities for women. Simply starting with the word “Feminine” in English in 1851, the word transformed into Feminism around 1895, with a motto to promote and advocate for women’s rights. This was the time when women did not even have the right to vote in any country in the world.[file:1]
Feminism emerged as a powerful movement aimed at advocating for women’s rights and meeting their needs. However, over time, it has unfortunately transformed into a vehicle that can oppress others in society, straying from its original mission of empowerment and support for women.[file:1]
Safety Concerns
Back in my days, whenever I used to go out either to my college or coaching centre or to meet my friends, my mother used to enquire every single detail. That was the time when we didn’t have mobile phones like today. It’s so unfortunate that girls, women, and even little kids are unsafe in the modern world, and most of the perpetrators have solid political support.[file:1]
In most cases, victims and their families suffer in silence instead of the accused. We should aspire to be a more enlightened race, one that prioritizes the essence of the human spirit.[file:1]
Rape Cases in India (2015-2024)
| Year | |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 34,000 |
| 2016 | 31,677 |
| 2017 | 32,599 |
| 2018 | 34,000 |
| 2019 | 32,033 |
| 2020 | 28,046 |
| 2021 | 31,677 |
| 2022 | 31,516 |
| 2023 | 29,670 |
| 2024 | 30,000 |
Conclusion
Struggling to find a sense of purpose as a woman in society, where I didn’t get seamless support from anyone I relied on or whose life revolved around, I am still waiting for some sort of miracles in future.
What do we talk about when we talk about Girls?
National Girl Child Day 2026 emphasizes the importance of changing mindsets, reinforcing rights, and celebrating the indispensable role of the girl child in shaping the future of humanity. It is not about a hierarchical or matriarchal system; rather, it focuses on addressing the suffering of half the population.
Let us create a world that is welcoming and supportive for our daughters. We must ensure they have the right to live fully and receive everything they truly deserve. This is not just a matter of choosing between a patriarchal or matriarchal system; it goes beyond women’s suffrage. It is about addressing the struggles faced by half of the population.