Supreme Court To Organize National Stakeholders Consultation On 'Safeguarding The Girl Child' From 11-12 October

The Supreme Court is organizing a 2-day National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on 'Safeguarding The Girl Child: Towards a Safer And Enabling Environment For Her In India' from 11 October to 12 October. Organized by the Court's Juvenile Justice Committee, in association with UNICEF India, the event will mark the culmination of several State Consultations that have taken place across the country.The Court has been conducting the National Stakeholder Consultations on an annual basis, convening all key stakeholders to "drive stronger coordination between justice, social welfare, and community systems for protecting and advancing the rights of every child in the country".Marking the 10th time such Consultation is being held, this year's event will interestingly coincide with the International Day of the Girl Child (celebrated on October 11). As per the Supreme Court's press release, CJI BR Gavai will deliver the inaugural address at the National Consultation."Smt Annpurna Devi, Hon'ble Minister of Women and Child Development; Hon'ble Mrs Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Committee and Judge, Supreme Court of India; and Ms Cynthia McCaffrey, Country Representative UNICEF India will also be addressing the inaugural session. A 'Handbook on Child Rights and the Law' will be released by Hon'ble Mr Justice J. B. Pardiwala, Member Juvenile Justice Committee, Supreme Court of India."Reinforcing the shared commitment of the judiciary, government, and civil society, this year's Consultation shall underscore that "protecting and empowering every girl is a national priority and key to India's inclusive growth".Over the two days, the Consultation will deliberate on strengthened measures towards preventing violence against girls, ensuring timely justice for survivors, and expanding access to education, healthcare, and social protection.First session of the Consultation would focus on "Right to be Born, Nurtured and Educated", followed by the Second session on "Safeguarding the Girl Child from Cyber Crimes".The Third session seeks to emphasize "Protection of the Girl Child from Abuse, Exploitation and Violence" and will also include sharing of best practices from the States with regard to "Trafficking of Girl Child: Prevention, Challenges and Effective Interventions; Child Marriage and Violence against Girl Child".A Session on the "Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012" scheduled on 12 October, 2025 will discuss the challenges and explore ways to strengthen the implementation of the POCSO Act followed by the Closing session that would focus on the learnings from the Consultation and the way forward.The Concluding Session will include active participation from Secretaries from Ministry of Women And Child Development; Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, Government of India.The notification can be read here.Link to view the Inaugural Session - https://youtube.com/live/Vxh9XjbmFb4?feature=share

Supreme Court To Organize National Stakeholders Consultation On 'Safeguarding The Girl Child' From 11-12 October

Debby Jain

The event will coincide with the International Day of the Girl Child.

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