National Girl Child Day: Laws That Protect Daughters In India

National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24 to spread public awareness about the rights of girl children, and the exploitation, and discrimination girls in India are subjected to. The day was initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the government of India back in the year 2008. Years later today, the day continues to be celebrated, however, the status of girls in India continues to be unchanged. Girls in India still suffer from inequality each day.

Despite the laws in place, the country fails to safeguard the girls of India. Crimes against girl children are on a rise in the country and there seems to be no silver lining. Awareness continues to be a limiting factor. Ahead of National Girl Child Day, we thought of taking you through some fundamental laws that protect girl children in India.

Criminal and Civil Lawyer, Kinnari Mehta said, "The Constitution of India provides for rights including fundamental rights for the safeguard and empowerment of girl child. These provisions include equality, prohibition of discrimination, prohibition of trafficking among humans, etc."

Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994

The act prohibits sex selection, before or after conception. It prevents the misuse of prenatal diagnostics for sex determination, further leading to female foeticide.

It is 2023 and the female foeticide statistics remain unchanged. Last year, multiple cases of female foeticide were suspected when foetuses were found dumped in areas around Karnataka's Belagavi and West Bengal's Howrah areas.

The expert shared that this law curbs the menace of female foeticide by prohibiting prenatal diagnostic techniques for the determination of the sex of the foetus.

Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006

The constitution of India prohibits child marriage. According to the act, the marriageable age for girls is 18. Any marriage below this age is considered child marriage and is illegal in the terms of the law. (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme: Benefits & How To Apply)

Mehta said, "This act is a legal safeguard against child marriage in India. It fixes the minimum age of marriage to 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. This act is one such safeguard ensuring that girls and women can enjoy equal status with boys and men."

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Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

Dowry Prohibition Act, of 1961 criminalises the act of giving or taking dowry. According to the act, anyone who does so is punishable with imprisonment for a term no less than five years and with a fine not less than ₹15,000 or the amount of the value of dowry, whichever is more. (HaqSe: Know Your Rights Against Domestic Violence)

It is 2023 and women continue to be subjected to abuse over dowry. Recently, a woman was found hanging in a house in a UP village and according to reports, the woman was being tortured by her in-laws for dowry ever since she got married in 2020. There seems to be no end to the evil practice.

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Unfortunately these laws alone can't make any difference. It is only when the government takes stringent actions towards the criminals that we will be able to make the country a safe place for girl children.