Overview

• The UN marked the day with the 2025 theme “The girl I am, the change I lead,” as António Guterres urged governments to prioritize girls’ rights in crisis settings.
• India’s Press Information Bureau and senior leaders issued messages committing to education, safety and opportunity, aligning with the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative.
• Recent Indian data show rising girl literacy and secondary enrolment and a halving of child marriage, yet persistent dropouts after Class 8, widespread anaemia and unsafe menstrual practices.
• An April analysis by the Union Health Ministry and PMNCH estimates up to ₹880 in social and economic returns per rupee invested and recommends dedicated adolescent funding, including a proposed ₹4,000 crore annually.
• UNICEF warns that Taliban restrictions have already excluded about 2.2 million Afghan girls from secondary school, with severe long-term socioeconomic consequences.