The International Day of the Girl Child was observed on 10 October 2026 at Good Shepherd Convent, Chennai, by MOTTUKAL, the Centre for Children, Women and Community Development of the Single Women Empowerment Project. Some 170 children from underserved urban areas, most of them attending the Supplementary Education Centres run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, took part in the programme, held under this year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
Why the Day matters
Girls too often face unequal treatment in education, health, family life and opportunity simply because they are girls. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, a member organisation of the United Nations in consultative status for children and women, helped press for a day devoted to the girl child, which was officially declared from 11 October 2012. Inspired by their foundress, St. Mary Euphrasia, who witnessed the suffering of women and girls during the French Revolution, the Sisters, present in 68 countries, observe the Day wherever they serve to raise awareness, advocate and campaign for girls’ rights.
A traditional beginning
The programme began with the lighting of the lamp by Sr. Aruna George, Local Community Leader and Correspondent of the Good Shepherd Schools on the campus, Sr. Hemalatha, Director of MOTTUKAL, and invited guests. Mrs. Selvam and Mrs. Velankanni compered the event.
“Our life must be within our control”
Sr. Aruna George urged the girls to be proud of being girls and to learn “to walk and to talk”, that is, to step out with confidence and speak up. “You report, we support,” she assured them, asking them to report abuse or injustice without fear. She called on the community to discourage dowry and reject child marriage, and stressed that education alone will help girls rise. Every girl, she said, should be able to take charge of her own life.
Know your rights, know the law
Mrs. Angelin Sheila, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, told the girls to respect their elders, keep faith and practise discipline. She reminded them that their body is a temple to be kept free from abuse, and that they must never ignore school studies and vocational education, which together help a girl stand on her own feet. Stressing that 18 is the only permitted age for a girl’s marriage, she urged them to say “no” to child marriage and to know their child rights. Quoting the Tamil proverb “Nalla maram nalla kanigalai kodukkum” (a good tree bears good fruit), she said children nurtured with care and learning become the good citizens of tomorrow.
Report to support
Mrs. Ananthi, Sub-Inspector of Police, Tamil Nadu Singa Pengal Force, encouraged the girls to report any form of abuse through the toll-free number 1098 at any time. The Force, she said, will be there to protect them and save them from all forms of peril. No girl, she said, should suffer in silence, because a single call can bring help and put a stop to wrongdoing.

She also asked them to confide in a trusted teacher, parent or elder, and assured them that every report would be acted upon promptly.
Gender sensitivity: need of the hour
Mr. Sivakumar, District Child Protection Officer for South Chennai, expressed concern over the distressing sex ratio and the decline in the number of female children, stressing the need for gender sensitivity in society. He urged families and communities to value girls and boys equally and to welcome the birth of every daughter with joy. Protecting girls’ right to be born, to be educated and to grow up safely, he said, is a shared responsibility of all.
Pledge of support for education
Advocate Mrs. Manju Bhargavi contributed saplings, steel water bottles and notebooks, which were shared with the children. In her talk she expressed her willingness to support girl children in continuing their studies. She encouraged the girls to keep learning and assured them that help would be available so that no girl is forced to give up school for lack of support. The saplings, she hoped, would be nurtured by the children just as their own growth is nurtured by education.
Skits, dances and silambam
Children from different slums staged skits on child marriage, school dropout and gender discrimination. Dances on girls’ rights celebrated the dreams and strength of girls, while demonstrations of yoga and the Tamil martial art silambam highlighted well-being, courage and self-defence. Through drama, dance and martial art, the children delivered powerful messages in a way that was simple, relatable and moving. Their performances showed that children themselves can be strong voices for change in their own communities.
Games, prizes and gifts
Games were held in the morning between 9.30 am and 11.30 am. Prizes were presented to the winners and runners-up, and gifts were shared with all participants to mark the day. The games brought joy and friendly competition to the children and made the celebration memorable. The sharing of prizes and gifts reflected the spirit of care and solidarity that the day stands for.
Vote of thanks
Sr. Hemalatha, Director of MOTTUKAL, thanked all the child rights professionals and activists for their contribution in making the day one of reflection and commitment to action, so that girls may live a dignified life free from abuse and violence. She said the day should help the children to internalise the words of the various speakers and to live them in their daily lives. She also wished that every girl would build a better life for herself and for those who matter most to her.