Apex Court to Host National Dialogue on Enhancing Girl Child Welfare & Rights, From October 11-12
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, October 10, 2025 — The Juvenile Justice Committee of the Supreme Court of India is set to convene the 10th National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on ‘Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India’ on October 11–12, 2025.
This landmark event marks the culmination of a series of State-level consultations held across the country, bringing together key voices from the justice system, social welfare departments, and civil society. The Supreme Court has spearheaded these annual consultations to foster robust inter-sectoral coordination aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of every child in India.
The two-day national dialogue will serve as a platform for stakeholders to assess progress, share best practices, and chart actionable strategies to ensure a safer and more empowering environment for girls nationwide.
The Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Committee, under the esteemed leadership of Hon’ble Mrs. Justice B. V. Nagarathna, Chairperson, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice J. B. Pardiwala, Member, is set to host this year’s National Annual Stakeholders Consultation in alignment with the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11.
Organised in collaboration with UNICEF India, the Consultation underscores a unified national resolve to ensure that every girl in India is nurtured in an environment that is safe, healthy, inclusive, and empowering. The event reflects the judiciary’s continued commitment to advancing child rights through coordinated efforts across justice, welfare, and community systems.
“Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai will deliver the inaugural address at the National Consultation. 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 underscores 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 12th October, 2025 will discuss the challenges and explore ways to strengthen the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act followed by the Closing session that would focus on the learnings from the Consultation and the way forward.
In furtherance of a coordinated inter-institutional approach, the Consultation shall also be attended by senior representatives from the Departments of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, Health, and School Education from all States and Union Territories. Member Secretaries of the State Legal Services Authorities and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) officers entrusted with the investigation and prevention of crimes against women and children will also be among the key stakeholders present.
The Concluding Session will be graced by the active engagement of Secretaries from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Education, Government of India—underscoring the collective resolve of the judiciary and executive to safeguard the rights and well-being of every girl child in India.
The Annual Stakeholders Consultation in 2024, had witnessed discussions centered on enhancing protection for children with disabilities, leading to state-level actions such as reasonable accommodation measures and improved monitoring of residential care facilities. In 2023, the Consultation focused on improving services for Children in Conflict with the Law, in line with India’s child-centric justice framework.
