BUDGAM, OCTOBER 11: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Budgam, organized an Awareness Programme on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child in collaboration with Girls Higher Secondary School, Budgam.
The programme was conducted on the directions of, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Shazia Tabassum under the supervision of, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Budgam, O.P. Bhagat and the guidance of Secretary, DLSA Budgam, Nusrat Ali Hakak,.
The primary objective of observing the International Day of the Girl Child is to highlight and address the unique challenges faced by girls, promote their human rights, and empower them to build a future of equal opportunities in education, health, and safety and free from discrimination and violence.
The day also emphasizes the potential of girls as innovators and leaders, calling for greater investment in their well-being during formative years to enable their meaningful participation in sustainable development.
The DLSA, Budgam, deputed Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsels as resource persons for the programme. They delivered insightful presentations on relevant legal schemes and raised awareness among participants about their objectives and implementation.
They spoke about the rights of girls with a special emphasis on combating child marriage, child labour, and gender-based violence. It was highlighted that child marriage is internationally recognized as a form of gender-based violence and a grave violation of human rights. Such practices expose girls and women to heightened risks of sexual, physical, and psychological violence, as well as adverse health outcomes including HIV infection, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, poor mental health, depression, and even loss of life through femicide or suicide. Furthermore, gender-based violence including child marriage that leads to reduced educational attainment and limited economic and employment opportunities.
The Programme also promoted initiatives on child marriage protection laws, gender equality, and the rights of the girl child under national and international legal frameworks. It was emphasized that marriage before the age of 18 constitutes a fundamental violation of human rights.
It was further underlined that while child marriage predominantly affects girls, it remains a violation of rights regardless of gender. The rights of the girl child are firmly enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and in national laws, which guarantee every girl’s right to survival, health, education, protection from harm and exploitation (such as child marriage, trafficking, and FGM), development, participation, and freedom from discrimination. Upholding these rights is fundamental to ensuring the holistic development and empowerment of every girl child.
