January ,24 2018
Give girls wings to fly by empowering and educating them, say
film celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Twinkle Khanna and Richa Chadha on
National Girl Child Day on Wednesday.
"A girl's path in life is filled
with tremendous odds for them. This National Girl Child Day, let us break down
these barriers and let them reach for their dreams. Meri Beti Meri Shakti,"
Amitabh tweeted.
Twinkle Khanna, who is debuting as producer with "Pad
Man" -- which talks about the need of awareness on menstrual hygiene -- said: "I
have a little one, a year younger than my daughter whom I have promised to
educate all the way through college. I urge you to educate one girl child each
and help empower the next generation! Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao."
Sonam
Kapoor, who features in "Pad Man", wrote: "Every year, we celebrate National
Girl Child Day to increase awareness about equality. It's incredibly important
for us to educate ourselves on the necessity of girls having access to
education, nutrition and health care. I am so proud to be a woman and hope that
we can join hands in supporting our girls."
Richa Chadha took to her
social media to give her take on the #HeforShe campaign, administered by the
United Nations to make men and boys be the agents of change for equal rights for
women. She feels the campaign should be more inclusive as #HeForUs,
concentrating on balanced treatment for both genders.
In the video, Richa
said: "I got a thought on this National Girl Child Day that while we talk about
government initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, but I think we need to
discuss things like everyday sexism too. Things like discussing gender pay
disparity, or the hesitant attitude to report sexual crime. And even the fact
that the number of child rapes are increasing everyday.
"What does that
mean? Are women only objects which are used and thrown away. Not a day we wake
up where there isn't a disturbing news. How will we as a country progress where
half the population is treated as a liability. Adding to that, I feel this
HeForShe movement... I feel for the survival of the human race, it depends on
both men and women.
"I feel it should be HeForUs instead. We need to
survive, we need to feel equal. I am hoping the attitude should change, which is
already happening, but we still have a long way to do. But here's hoping we can
all do it together, because it is the need of the hour."
"Pink" actress
Taapsee Pannu, who has been promoting the need of self defence training for
women, said: "I wish on this National Girl Child Day, we stand for each other
and for oneself, and we make it a collaborative effort. In a patriarchal society
like ours, providing education and the right mindfulness for young girls from
the beginning has become imperative.
"So on this day, I wish to activate
more initiatives for these girls so that they become independent and can fight
for themselves. We are in conversation with few experts and NGOs and I hope it
works out soon."
Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda tweeted: "Let's pledge to
eradicate discrimination and fight against female foeticide. Let's recognize
their achievements and pledge to educate and empower every girl child."