Srinagar, August 23, KDC: The Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, in collaboration with UNICEF India, today organized a one -day annual stakeholders consulting, which “for the safety of the girl child” is a safe and competent environment for her in India.
The event was inaugurated by the High Court of Chief Justice, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, Arun Palli in the presence of Judicial Sindhu Sharma (Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Committee), Justice Rajnesh Oswal. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Justice Mohammed. Akram Chaudhary, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, and Justice Shahzad Azim, besides the High Court of Jade Jade, Jammu -Kashmir and Ladakh.
The inaugural session was participated in Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, MD National Health Mission and Secretary Education and Skill Development.
The proceedings reminded the timeless Sanskrit Maxim that “where women are honored, divinity prevail”, underlining that to save and empower the girl is not just a legal duty, but a sacred social obligation.
Speakers said that despite constitutional and legislative security measures, girls need joint action by state, judiciary and civil society, the security of resources and social prejudices, discrimination, resources and challenges of limited access to social prejudices continue to face the challenges. In his reception address, Justice Mecca Khajuria Kazmi stressed that the safety of the girl child is a moral, constitutional and social imperative. He stressed that when significant progress has been made through law and policy, it is to ensure that these security reach the weakest and soundless children.
Justice Javed Iqbal Wani highlighted the Starc realities facing the girl child, including the fall in sex with the girl, and the high mortality rate. He attributed these concerns to prejudice and economic factors, making calls for a comprehensive approach to combining strong laws, awareness and empowerment measures.
Justice Mohammad Akram Chaudhary reiterated that ensuring security and dignity for the girl child is not only a statutory duty, but also a moral obligation of the society on a large scale. He acknowledged the progress made in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while emphasizing that collective efforts are required to overcome the challenges.
Vijay Laxmi Arora, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF India, in his address, described the protection of the girl as a moral imperative with legal duty. Citing progress and frequent challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that a significant decline in the newborn and infant mortality has been observed and the child’s wedding rate is the lowest in India and has improved sex ratio at birth.
Justice Sindhu Sharma, chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, reflected the contradiction of the girl child in India, reflected on the contradiction of the girl child in India, which is celebrated as a symbol of strength and flexibility, yet is inconsistently cumbersome with discrimination, poverty and violence. He called for a collective social responsibility to translate legal safety in the living realities of security, dignity and empowerment.
In his President’s address, Chief Justice Arun Palli emphasized the need to move beyond security to empower the girl child. Accepting constitutional and legislative security measures in the place, he underlined that the true change lies in transferring the social mindset and celebrating the girl as the same and unavoidable part of the future of India.
The day -long consultation had four thematic technical sessions; Every chairman and administrator by each president and administrators, covering the major areas of anxiety.
The first session was focused on laws, programs and schemes for the girl child in J&K and Ladakh, with senior bureaucrats and child rights experts introduced a detailed observation of government intervention and interval.
The second session investigated to further the gender equity through education and skill development, highlighting reforms in the school education sector of both center areas, as well as opportunities in vocational training, sports and digital literacy for teenage girls.
The third session considering increasing access to justice, legal aid and community aid for girls below risk.
Judicial officers, police officers and NGOs presented their experiences and field system, which emphasized the importance of child-friendly policing, institutional cooperation and community awareness.
The fourth session addressed gender-based health inequalities with health and nutrition officials of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which discussed the intervening intervention for nutrition under maternal health, reproductive services, adolescent mental health and national major schemes.
The Valdicator session was chaired by Justice Sindhu Sharma in the presence of Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi.
Hilal Ahmed Bhat, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF J&K, summarized the day’s action points and underlined the action plan 2025-26.
Special remarks were given by the High Court of Rajiv Gupta, Registrar Vigilance, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, followed by Sonia Gupta, Member Secretary, Valdictory Address of Juvenile Justice Committee, who emphasized the need to move forward.
The program ended with the proposed thanks by Shama Sharma, Secretary, DLSA Rajouri.
Consultation saw a large number of virtual participation from various departments of UT of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Consultation confirmed the commitment of the High Court, through its Juvenile Justice Committee, to strengthen child protection systems and ensure justice, dignity and equal opportunities for the girl child in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (KDC)