J&K High Court, UNICEF India organise annual consultation on safeguarding girl child
Srinagar, Aug 23: The Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in collaboration with UNICEF India today organised a one day Annual Stakeholders’ Consultation on “Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India” at the Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy, Moominabad, Srinagar, said an official press release.
The programme was inaugurated by Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Arun Palli, in the presence of Justice Sindhu Sharma (Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Committee), Justice Rajnesh Oswal,. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Justice Mohammad Akram Chowdhary, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, and Justice Shahzad Azeem besides Judges High Court of J&K and Ladakh, it said.
The inaugural session was attended by the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, MD National Health Mission & Secretary Education and Skill Development.
The proceedings opened with a reminder of the timeless Sanskrit maxim that “where women are honoured, divinity prevails”, underlining that safeguarding and empowering the girl child is not merely a statutory duty but a sacred social obligation.
Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi emphasized that safeguarding the girl child is a moral, constitutional and societal imperative. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani highlighted the stark realities faced by the girl child, including declining child sex ratios, barriers to education and higher mortality rates.
Justice Mohd Akram Chowdhary reiterated that ensuring safety and dignity for the girl child is not only a statutory duty but also a moral obligation of society at large.
Vijay Lakshmi Arora, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF India, in her address, described the protection of the girl child as a moral imperative alongside a legal duty. Justice Sindhu Sharma, Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, reflected upon the paradox of the girl child in India who is celebrated as a symbol of strength and resilience, yet disproportionately burdened with discrimination, poverty and violence. In his Presidential address, Chief Justice Arun Palli emphasized the need to move beyond safeguarding to empowering the girl child. While acknowledging the constitutional and legislative safeguards in place, he underlined that true change lies in shifting societal mindsets and celebrating the girl child as an equal and indispensable part of India’s future.
The valedictory session was chaired by Justice Sindhu Sharma in presence of Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi. Hilal Ahmad Bhat, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF J&K, summarized the action points of the day and outlined the Action Plan 2025–26.
Special remarks were delivered by Rajiv Gupta, Registrar Vigilance, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, followed by the valedictory address of Sonia Gupta, Member Secretary, Juvenile Justice Committee, who emphasized the need to carry forward the collective resolve into actionable frameworks.
