Discrimination
faced by Girl
Child
Parnika Adhlakha- XII- C
Date
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my teacher for giving me the opportunity to make a project on
a topic like this and letting me explore it.
Index
What is Gender Discrimination?
Reason for selection for the topic
Research questions
Hypothesis
Gender as an Identity
Stats and Analysis
Case Studies
Conclusion
What is Gender
Discrimination?
The unfair or unequal treatment of
individuals based on their gender, often
resulting in limited opportunities or
advantages compared to others.
In this project I am going to discuss the
problems and discrimination face by a child
just because she is a girl.
Reason for Selection
of the topic
The reason I chose this topic is
because this issue is deeply personal
and it is socially still a relevant issue.
By addressing this topic, I want to raise
awareness about gender inequality,
challenge harmful stereotypes, and
 advocate for equal rights and
opportunities for girls. It also allows me
to explore how cultural, social, and
economic factors contribute to
discrimination and what steps can be
taken to create a more just society.
Research
Questions
What forms of discrimination are most
commonly faced by girl children in India?
How does gender-based discrimination affect a
girl child’s access to education, healthcare, and
nutrition?
What are the social and cultural factors that
contribute to the discrimination of girl children in
Indian society?
How do economic conditions influence the
treatment and opportunities given to girl
children?
What role do family attitudes and traditions play
in reinforcing gender bias against girls?
How effective are government schemes and
laws (like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao) in reducing
discrimination against girl children?
Hypothesis
Socioeconomic status significantly
influences the level of discrimination
faced by girl children.
Cultural traditions and family values
play a critical role in perpetuating
gender bias.
Access to education reduces the level
of discrimination faced by girls in a
household.
Gender as an
Identity
Gender plays a major role in the
discrimination faced by the girl child. In
many parts of society, girls are treated as
inferior to boys due to patriarchal beliefs.
They often receive less access to education,
healthcare, and opportunities simply
because they are girls. Families may
prioritise sons, considering them future
earners, while girls are seen as a burden.
This early discrimination affects a girl’s self-
esteem, freedom, and future. Recognising
gender as a basis for such bias is key to
understanding and addressing the problem.
Statistics & Analysis
Education: As of 2025, approximately 122 million girls worldwide remain out of school.
In fragile and conflict-affected areas, girls are 2.5 times more likely to be out of school
than boys, and at the secondary level, they are 90% more likely to be out of school
compared to their male counterparts.
Child Marriage: Globally, 1 in 5 girls is married before the age of 18. At the current
rate, child marriage will only end in 2092
Gender-Based Violence: Nearly 1 in 4 adolescent girls who have been married or
partnered have experienced intimate partner violence worldwide. Additionally, over 370
million girls and women have been raped or sexually assaulted before the age of 18.
Social Protection: Approximately 2 billion women and girls globally lack access to
any form of social protection, leaving them more vulnerable to poverty and discrimination.
Legal Inequalities: In 18% of countries, women do not have equal rights to confer
citizenship to their spouses and children. Moreover, 54% of countries do not have laws
that base the legal definition of rape on the lack of freely given consent.
Case Studies from India
Amar Nani, a young girl from a low-income family in Rajasthan, was expected to help her mother
with housework and childcare instead of going to school. Her two brothers, however, were
enrolled in the local government school. When asked, her father explained that "a girl will
eventually get married, so her education is not important.” Despite her interest in learning, Amar
was denied the same opportunity as her brothers. A local NGO working on child rights discovered
her case and helped enroll her in school. They also worked with her family to spread awareness
about the long-term benefits of educating girls.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) conducted a survey across districts in Uttar Pradesh
to understand gender-based discrimination. The study found that:
Girls were more likely to be underweight and anaemic than boys.
Drop-out rates for girls increased sharply after Class 8 due to early marriage or safety concerns.
Dowry expectations made families view daughters as financial burdens.
Despite awareness programs, many rural households still practiced son preference. Only after local
women leaders and Anganwadi workers got involved did change begin to happen.
Case Studies from Around the World
In Kaduna, Nigeria, a study explored why girls dropped out of school early. The findings
showed that:
Cultural norms dictated that girls should marry early and stay at home.
Fathers preferred to invest in boys’ education as they were seen as future breadwinners.
Even when schools were nearby, the fear of sexual harassment kept girls at home.
One 13-year-old girl, Amina, was withdrawn from school to help her mother and was soon
married off. NGOs working in the region later rescued her and helped her re-enroll in school
through a girl protection program.
Global Setbacks in Gender Equality
A UN report released in March 2025 highlighted that women globally have only 64% of the
legal rights that men possess. The report also noted a 50% surge in conflict-related sexual
violence since 2022, with 95% of victims being women and girls. These findings underscore the
persistent challenges in achieving gender equality worldwide.
Inferences
It is obvious how gender based
discrimination still exists, and is
very much prevalent. The lack of
sensitivity towards women
showcases how the Lawes made
to protect women and their rights
are failing.
Community level awareness and
education is a must, without is
our society is never going to
progress.
Conclusion
Gender-based discrimination continues to
affect girls and women in many parts of
the world, including India. Despite
progress in laws and education, traditional
mindsets and social biases still limit
opportunities for girls. However, recent
cases and court rulings show that change
is happening. To truly empower the girl
child, society must promote equality,
challenge stereotypes, and ensure fairness
in all areas of life.
Bibliography
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2025/03/07/un-report-on-gender-equality/?utm_source
https://www.ungei.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/Amar-nani-Our-girl-child-2016-eng.pdf?utm_source
https://www.academia.edu/113801404/Discrimination_from_Conception_to_Childhood_A_study_of_girl_children_in_rural_Haryana_India?utm_
https://innovationsocialeusp.ca/en/crits/blogue/gender-discrimination-and-female-childrens-education-in-northern-nigeria-a-case-study-of-the-gbagyi-of-abuja?
https://www.unwomen.org/en/resources/gender-snapshot?utm_source
Thank You
