Safeguarding girl child a moral & social obligation: Justice Kazmi

Srinagar, Aug 23: The Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, in collaboration with UNICEF India, on Saturday held its annual Stakeholders’ Consultation focused on “Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India.” The event took place at the Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy in Moominabad, Srinagar.The inauguration was led by Chief Justice of the High Court, Arun Palli, who was accompanied by prominent judges, including Justice Sindhu Sharma (Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Committee), Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani,and  Justice Mohd. Akram Chowdhary, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, and Justice Shahzad Azeem. Senior officials, including the Commissioner Secretary of Social Welfare, MD of the National Health Mission, and Secretary of Education and Skill Development, also attended the event.The session commenced with a reminder of the Sanskrit maxim “where women are honoured, divinity prevails,” stressing that safeguarding the girl child is a moral and social obligation. Speakers highlighted ongoing challenges despite existing legislative safeguards, including safety concerns, discrimination, societal biases, and limited access to resources.Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi said protecting the girl child is a societal imperative that must reach the most vulnerable. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani pointed out alarming trends like declining child sex ratios and barriers in education, attributing these issues to deep-rooted biases and economic factors. Justice Chowdhary echoed the need for a collective effort to uphold the safety and dignity of girls.UNICEF India’s Child Protection Specialist, Vijay Lakshmi Arora, discussed progress in Jammu & Kashmir, noting reductions in neonatal and infant mortality rates and improvements in sex ratios at birth. She acknowledged ongoing challenges, including child marriage and access to healthcare.Justice Sindhu Sharma reflected on the paradox of the girl child in India, which is celebrated yet often vulnerable, and called for societal responsibility to translate legal protections into tangible safety and empowerment. Chief Justice Arun Palli called for moving beyond safeguarding to actively empowering girls, advocating societal mindset shifts to recognise girls as equal contributors to India’s future.The day featured four technical sessions covering legislation, education, justice access, and health. Experts and officials discussed government schemes, gender equity reforms, child-friendly policing, and health interventions.The event concluded with the presentation of the Action Plan 2025–26 by UNICEF’s Hilal Ahmad Bhat, and a valedictory address by Sonia Gupta, who stressed translating discussions into actionable frameworks. The consultation reaffirmed the High Court’s commitment to strengthening systems that protect the rights and dignity of the girl child in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.