Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and it means that half of the global potential lies in the welfare and prosperity of the weaker sex. Moreover, it is a fact that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth. Whenever we talk of women’s empowerment, the best way to ensure it is to take care of this meek section of the society right from the stage of girl child. As the world observes ‘International Day of the Girl Child’ today, it is time for one and all to reiterate the commitment to work relentlessly to improve the overall condition of girl child through proactive participation in the programmes under various schemes rolled out by the government for the welfare of the girl child. It is a fact that the issue of girl child rights and protection in India is a very serious concern. Being home to more than one third of the 10 million child brides in the world, India has one of the highest numbers of girls forced into marriage before the legal age of 18. If one half of our society remains so vulnerable to violence and neglect, how will the country advance or progress? Not only are they unsafe at home where they are victims of stereotypical attitude, but even in schools they have to face immense hardships and humiliation due to ill equipped schools that lack separate toilets for girls. It is because of this discrepancy that majority of parents are not willing to send their girls for studying. The few who manage to attend school risk violence and abuse. According to India’s 2011 census, 53% households and 11% schools had no toilets. This lack of safety deprives young girls of an opportunity to educate themselves and better their lives. In order to make sure that girl children get access to quality education, we need to tackle the mindset that paves the way for young children to be employed. Girl Child Rights are being aggressively advocated in the country by individuals, governmental organizations and many NGOs. It is pertinent to mention here that progress for adolescent girls has not kept pace with the realities they face today. This year’s theme that has quite aptly been selected to highlight the need of the hour is “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership & Well Being.” As such the main focus this year shall be on girls’ rights and for this there is a need to fulfill, protect and respect girls’ rights. Moreover, there is a dire need to trust the leadership of the girls at par with their male counterparts. This would ensure appropriate space for the girls to be heard, to participate and to co-lead. Moreover, it would automatically lead to respecting of the girls’ voices and perspectives so that they live as real decision makers and leaders of today. The most important factor to be taken care of in this long journey for the girls’ prosperity and equality in the society is that of the health, well-being and education of the girl child. Adopting an intergenerational approach there is a need to listen to the Girl Advocates and Activists who are already involved in bringing the change, heed to the perspectives put forth by them and accordingly invest, support and work towards realization of girls’ rights. So let’s seize the opportunity to be inspired by what the girls see as the change they want, the solutions whether big and small they are demanding across the globe by making them apt to make full use of the latest technology so that they do not lag behind the male counterparts in any way in today’s era. Moreover, let’s take pledge to bring the requisite attitudinal change in the society and be part of a world where girls are celebrated and treated equally with love and respect.