The abandonment of girl children in India is one of the most heartbreaking social issues our country faces today. Every year, thousands of innocent girls are left without care, love, or protection. This is not just a number—it is a reality affecting real children who deserve to live, learn, and grow safely.
Unfortunately, many families still see girls as a burden due to deep-rooted cultural biases, economic pressures, and social expectations. Understanding the scale and causes of this issue is the first step toward change.
1. Rising Numbers of Abandoned Children
- Over the past three years, the number of orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children has increased by 25%, reaching over 5,600 cases in 2022–23.
- The abandonment of girl children in India shows a serious gender-based problem, as girls make up a majority of these cases.
- Many children are left at government hospitals, train stations, or public places, often in unsafe conditions.
2. Girls Are Abandoned More Than Boys
- Cultural preference for male children continues to influence family decisions.
- In Karnataka, 145 girls were abandoned compared to 105 boys.
- This contributes to long-term social problems and highlights the urgent need to address the abandonment of girl children in India.
3. Many Cases Go Unreported
- Rural areas often underreport cases due to fear and social stigma.
- Families hide abandoned children out of shame or concern about legal consequences.
- The true scale of the abandonment of girl children in India is likely much higher than official records suggest.
4. Real-Life Stories of Abandoned Girls
- Rajasthan: Hundreds of girls are left in dangerous places like railway tracks, bushes, or garbage dumps, often in extreme weather.
- Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh: A newborn girl was found abandoned in a sugarcane field.
- Jalandhar, Punjab: Prakash Kaur Bibi’s Unique Home for Girls has been rescuing abandoned girls for over 20 years, providing shelter, food, and education.
5. Institutional Care Is Very Limited
- India has about 31 million orphaned and abandoned children, yet less than 0.2% live in registered Child Care Institutions.
- Many children grow up without proper nutrition, education, or emotional support, affecting their future opportunities.
- Expanding institutional care is critical to reduce the abandonment of girl children in India.
6. Legal and Policy Gaps
- The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 exists to protect children, but enforcement is weak in many regions.
- Adoption procedures are slow and complicated, which discourages families from taking in abandoned children.
- Many girls face mental health challenges that are not addressed due to insufficient counseling and social support.
7. Government Efforts and Support
- CARINGS Portal: Streamlines adoption and ensures transparency.
- Mission Vatsalya Scheme: Provides financial and administrative support to states for abandoned children.
- NGOs and volunteers play a key role in rescuing, sheltering, and educating abandoned girls, helping combat the abandonment of girl children in India.
💡 How We Can Help
- Spread Awareness: Educate communities about the importance of girls.
- Support NGOs: Volunteer, donate, or help raise awareness.
- Promote Adoption and Foster Care: Provide safe, loving homes for abandoned girls.
- Change Cultural Mindsets: Treat girls as equal, valuable, and capable of shaping the future.
💖 A Heartfelt Message
- Please do not abandon your girl child.
- She is not a burden, she is a blessing.
- If girls are not there, who will give birth to the next generation?
- Every girl deserves love, care, and a chance to thrive.
We must all work together to end the abandonment of girl children in India and create a society where every child has a safe and bright future.hildren in India is preventable if we act with compassion, awareness, and responsibility.
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