SRINAGAR, AUGUST 23: The Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in collaboration with UNICEF India today organized a one day Annual Stakeholders’ Consultation on “Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India” at the Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy, Moominabad, Srinagar.
The programme was inaugurated by Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Arun Palli, in the august presence of Justice Sindhu Sharma (Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Committee), Justice Rajnesh Oswal,. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Justice Mohd. Akram Chowdhary, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, and Justice Shahzad Azeem besides Judges High Court of J&K and Ladakh.
The inaugural session was attended by the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, MD National Health Mission & Secretary Education and Skill Development.
The proceedings opened with a reminder of the timeless Sanskrit maxim that “where women are honoured, divinity prevails”, underlining that safeguarding and empowering the girl child is not merely a statutory duty but a sacred social obligation.
The speakers noted that despite constitutional and legislative safeguards, girls continue to face challenges of safety, discrimination, limited access to resources and societal biases, necessitating joint action by the State, judiciary, and civil society. In her welcome address, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi emphasized that safeguarding the girl child is a moral, constitutional and societal imperative. She stressed that while significant progress has been made through legislation and policy, the true challenge is to ensure that these protections reach the most vulnerable and voiceless children.
Justice Javed Iqbal Wani highlighted the stark realities faced by the girl child, including declining child sex ratios, barriers to education and higher mortality rates. He attributed these concerns to entrenched biases and economic factors, calling for a comprehensive approach combining stronger laws, awareness and empowerment measures.
Justice Mohd Akram Chowdhary reiterated that ensuring safety and dignity for the girl child is not only a statutory duty but also a moral obligation of society at large. He acknowledged the progress made in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while stressing that continued collective effort is needed to overcome persisting challenges.
Vijay Lakshmi Arora, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF India, in her address, described the protection of the girl child as a moral imperative alongside a legal duty. Citing both progress and persisting challenges in Jammu & Kashmir, she highlighted that neonatal and infant mortality rates have seen remarkable declines and child marriage rates are among the lowest in India and sex ratios at birth have improved.
Delivering the keynote address, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, reflected upon the paradox of the girl child in India who is celebrated as a symbol of strength and resilience, yet disproportionately burdened with discrimination, poverty and violence. She called for a collective societal responsibility to translate the legal protections into lived realities of safety, dignity and empowerment.
In his Presidential address, Chief Justice Arun Palli emphasized the need to move beyond safeguarding to empowering the girl child. While acknowledging the constitutional and legislative safeguards in place, he underlined that true change lies in shifting societal mindsets and celebrating the girl child as an equal and indispensable part of India’s future.
The day-long consultation featured four thematic technical sessions; each chaired and moderated by distinguished experts and administrators, covering key areas of concern.
The first session focused on legislations, programs and schemes for the girl child in J&K and Ladakh, with senior bureaucrats and child rights experts presenting a detailed overview of government interventions and gaps.
The second session examined advancing gender equity through education and skill development, highlighting reforms in the school education sector of both Union Territories, as well as opportunities in vocational training, sports and digital literacy for adolescent girls.
The third session deliberated on enhancing the access to justice, legal aid and community support for at-risk girls.
Judicial officers, police officials and NGOs presented their experiences and field practices, stressing the importance of child-friendly policing, institutional collaboration and community awareness.
The fourth session addressed gender-based health inequities with health and nutrition officials of J&K and Ladakh discussing the maternal health, reproductive services, adolescent mental health and targeted interventions for nutrition under national flagship schemes.
The valedictory session was chaired by Justice Sindhu Sharma in presence of Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi.
Hilal Ahmad Bhat, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF J&K, summarized the action points of the day and outlined the Action Plan 2025–26.
Special remarks were delivered by Rajiv Gupta, Registrar Vigilance, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, followed by the valedictory address of Sonia Gupta, Member Secretary, Juvenile Justice Committee, who emphasized the need to carry forward the collective resolve into actionable frameworks.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shama Sharma, Secretary, DLSA Rajouri.
The consultation also witnessed huge number of virtual participation from the various departments of UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh
The consultation reaffirmed the High Court’s commitment, through its Juvenile Justice Committee, towards strengthening child protection systems and ensuring justice, dignity and equal opportunities for the girl child in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
