NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY: SOS India Celebrates Girlpower

Nationally observed on January 24th every year, National Girl Child Day marks the celebration of girlhood. It is celebrated to render new opportunities to girls and to also increase awareness among people about the gender bias that takes a toll on many in our society. This day was started as part of the National Girls Development Mission by the Government of India to voice out the need to provide equal access to girls in terms of protection, legal rights, medical care and education, to name a few. Teachers of the service tell how to assert their rights, about health, etc.

In a country like India, not only are girls unsafe when alone on the roadside, but are also victims of neglect, violence and abuse at home. India being one of the countries with the highest number of girls forced into marriage before the age of 18 is a proof of how there is a dire need of change in the mindsets of many. (Source: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/child-marriage/india/)

Eradicating social discrimination and exploitation faced by women is not easy. It is a slow process that requires all of us to address to the concern with utmost sensitivity. To start with, it is vital to reject discrimination. At an individual level, we all can partake in this movement by reflecting zero tolerance towards disrespecting or humiliation of girls.

At SOS Children’s Villages of India, we believe that our girls are capable of doing wonders. Starting from an early age, equal opportunities are given to girls as it is to our boys. Be it sports or academics, girls at SOS India have shown remarkable achievements over the years, breaking many stereotypes on the way.
On this day, SOS India celebrates the glorious achievement of Hena Pore, who, with her hard work and determination turned the odds in her favor and made us shine with pride.

Hena Pore came to SOS Children’s Village Jaipur when she was only a day old. An energetic child from the beginning, she performed remarkably well in academics. After having completed her schooling from St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School Jaipur, she pursued her Bachelor’s in Commerce from International College for Girls in Jaipur. During her college days, she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Air Wings. She was adjudged as the best cadet in the National Air Show in 2006, held at Bengaluru. In the same year, Hena also became the First Woman Cadet from Rajasthan to fly a micro light air craft on the occasion of the Republic Day Parade, which was attended Shri Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister of India. Later in 2010, she cleared the Services’ Selection Board Exam (SSB) and was inducted into the Indian Air Force as a Commissioned Officer. Presently, she is posted as a Flight Lieutenant at the Jamnagar Air Force Station.

SOS Children’s Villages of India stands against gender bias. With best facilities and a conducive environment to grow up in for both girls and boys, we ensure the holistic development of every child under our care. At SOS India, we provide a common platform to everyone to showcase their potential and talents.

SOS India strongly believes in gender equality, do you?