National Girl Child Day 2025: Investing in girls’ education key to India’s economic growth
The future of any nation hinges on the education of its children. Yet, a stark reality persists in India: More than 4.1 million girls had to drop out of school between 2020-21 and 2021-22, according to a report by UDISE+, a management information system of the department of school education and literacy, Union Ministry of Education.
This number underscores the urgent need to focus on girl child education, not just as a matter of fairness, but as a critical lever for national progress.
The story of Bhanhedi, a remote village in the Dig district of Rajasthan, showcases the profound impact of targeted interventions on breaking cycles of inequity. Just a few years ago, the community grappled with alarming rates of child marriages — 30 to 35 annually — where the majority of girls could barely study beyond the 5th grade.
Today, the narrative has transformed. For the first time in its history, four girls have successfully completed their 12th-grade exams, with two even pursuing higher education.
The village, predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Caste (SC) and Meo Muslims, was once deeply entrenched in the tradition of early marriage. Education, especially for girls, was a low priority.
Just four years ago, early marriages were seen as the inevitable fate of girls in Bhanhedi. Today, thanks to sustained efforts by Shri Jan Jeevan Kalyan Sanstha, a grassroots-level NGO supported by CRY, girls are not only excelling academically but also making strides in sports like football at district and state levels.
Bhanhedi’s residents now proudly call their community a “Child Marriage-Free” village. This success story exemplifies the transformative potential of prioritising girl child education. Initiatives such as the establishment of learning corners and Children’s Activity Centres created safe and engaging spaces for girls, sparking a shift in the community's mindset. Additionally, engaging local religious and community leaders in meaningful dialogue proved instrumental in ensuring sustained access to education for girls.
However, Bhanhedi is just one example in a vast country where countless girls still face significant barriers to education and empowerment. The scale of the challenge is immense. The UDISE+ data for 2021-22 revealed that more than half of the girls eligible for higher secondary education are out of school.
Reasons range from financial constraints and the need to contribute to household income to concerns about safety and long distances to schools. However, there has been some improvement in the scenario. Going by the latest UDISE+ 2023-24 data, 82.9% of girls accessed secondary education in India.
The economic implications of this educational gap are surprising. According to a World Bank report, limited educational opportunities for girls cost countries $15-30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings.
For India specifically, achieving gender parity in education could add up to $770 billion (Rs 63,910 billion) to the country’s GDP by 2025, according to the McKinsey Global Institute report.
Beyond economics, the social and health benefits of educating girls are profound. Various researches suggest that educated girls are less likely to marry young, leading to less risk of maternal deaths, and more likely to have healthier children. Each additional year of education can reduce infant mortality and increase a girl’s future earnings.
The government has always acknowledged the significance of girl child education. The 2009 Right to Education Act and the National Education Policy 2020, which seek to extend universal free and quality education up to the age of 18 years, are significant steps forward. Programmes like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) launched in 2015 have shown promising results.
While government initiatives are crucial, they alone cannot address the challenges of ensuring education for all. NGOs, communities and the private sector play a vital role in bridging these gaps. According to the CSR Outlook Report 2023, education accounted for Rs 10,085 crore, or 23 per cent of CSR spending, making it the largest area of investment alongside healthcare, WASH and environment-focused programmes.
However, to make a significant impact on girl child education, there is an urgent need to focus on girl-specific interventions such as scholarships, safe transportation and secure schooling environments. Partnering with grassroots organisations that understand and can address local challenges — like cultural norms and social barriers — can further strengthen efforts to ensure schooling for girls.
In this context, CRY's “Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai” campaign, launched in June 2024, represented a significant effort to highlight the importance of ensuring complete school education for girls. The campaign has garnered widespread support from political leaders, bureaucrats, actors, writers, influencers and other prominent figures across the nation, amplifying its message. With active collaboration from grassroots NGOs, the government and the private sector, this initiative has successfully enrolled over 170,000 girls in schools so far.
When girls are educated, they are better equipped to contribute to the economy, make informed decisions about their health and families and participate actively in society.
As we strive to become a $5 trillion economy, ensuring every girl completes her education is not just a moral obligation, but an economic necessity. By ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to complete her education, we are not just investing in their future, but in the future of India as a whole.
The story of Bhanhedi shows us what is possible when a community comes together to challenge the circumstances. It is a strong example for other communities grappling with similar issues, and a reminder that change, even if it is difficult, is achievable.
Soha Moitra is the director of programmes at CRY – Child Rights and You. Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.