Plan India, a not-for-profit organization striving to advance children’s rights and equality for girls, recently conducted a two-day conference - Plan for Every Child. The event saw experts from various fields, child rights practitioners, jurists, government officials, and others discuss the issues on the ground to strategize a plan and build back better with girls. 

The conference hosted multiple sessions, presentations, and discussions on addressing the barriers for girls and young women. They also highlighted methods to get women to access inclusive and quality education, health services, child development, and mental well-being, essential medicines and vaccines, maternal and reproductive health care, food security, and nutrition.

One of the special sessions that was discussed at the event was about why legal awareness and literacy is important for women and girls. 

Realities on the ground 

The session began over a video call with four young girls from Bihar. These four girls, no more than 12 years of age, shared details about harsh realities from their village. They have witnessed child marriages among their peers and been exposed to abuse in various ways. However, through education and awareness, these girls have understood their right to say no to marriage and seek judicial protection. 

This brief video call highlighted the importance of legal awareness in rural areas for girls. 

J.V.R. Prasada Rao the former Health Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in conversation with Hon'ble Justice Madan B Lokur, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India explained how the pandemic has wreaked havoc on various aspects of women and girls lives. 

J.V.R. Prasada Rao says, “The pandemic induced lockdown has reversed years of progress of women empowerment. Many young girls were forced to discontinue their education and drop out of school. This puts them at risk of early marriage, pregnancy, domestic violence, and more. Though there are legislations to protect women and girls, the situation on the ground requires improvement.” 

As a start to bring about the change, more women and girls need to be aware of the judicial rights they hold. They also need to understand what actions are considered to be criminal offenses. 

Highlighting the rise in rates in child marriages across India, he explained that these instances take place owing to poverty. He says that families sell their girl children for money to buy necessities. 

“Child marriages are illegal. Those who have assisted and participated in the event are guilty of a criminal offence.”

When young girls move into a new house and are treated with cruelty, they are entitled to apply for divorce. If the girl is physically abused, it is a criminal offense and a divorce will be granted. In rural areas, during pregnancy, many women are forced to abort a female fetus. 

Justice Madan says “People abuse ultrasounds to find the gender of an unborn child and force young brides to undergo an abortion. Some young girls face harassment at their homes because of not conceiving a male child. However, finding the gender of an unborn child is an offense and the law prohibits it. There are laws and acts to prevent such events and support women.” 

To make use of these laws exclusive to women, Justice Madan explained how women and young girls need to be sensitized. By evaluating the issues in the community, organizations must focus on creating awareness among girls from a young age. At the same time, boys also need to be informed about criminal offenses. 

Legal empowerment would give women the courage to face the challenges of life and get justice for the crimes committed against them. To ensure that more and more girls are aware of their rights, Justice Lokur explained how it is crucial to evaluate the issues in the community, create awareness among girls from a young age about laws, and educate boys about criminal offenses.