Disturbing Safety Trends: Over 1,750 Minor Girls Victims of Rape in Telangana, Reports CRY
Hyderabad(Jan, 19) : CRY – Child Rights and You, has raised an alarm regarding the concerning status of girl children in Telangana just ahead of National Girl Child Day. While the state has witnessed a surge in the enrolment of girl children at the elementary level, the net enrolment at secondary and higher secondary levels has seen a significant decline, according to a status report released by the organization. The UDISE+ 2021-22 data indicates that, although over 94% of girl children were enrolled in primary schools, the Net Enrolment Rate dropped to 60% and 42% at the secondary and higher secondary levels, respectively.
Safety concerns have also come to the forefront, with the latest NCRB report revealing over 1,750 minor girls as victims of rape and nearly 1,000 facing sexual assault and harassment under the POCSO Act in the state. Disturbingly, the health and nutrition front displays similar distressing trends, as more than 65% of women aged 15 to 19 in Telangana were estimated to be anaemic, according to NFHS-5 (2019-21) data. Additionally, 23.5% of women aged 20-24 were married before turning 18, facing challenges in early motherhood.
CRY’s status report focuses on three critical aspects: education, protection, and health & nutrition. John Roberts, the Regional Director of CRY (South), emphasized that despite proactive measures by successive governments, the situation falls short of expectations, demanding collective action. Roberts called for collaboration between the government, non-profit organizations, community leaders, and individuals to address challenges faced by girl children, stressing the need for girl child-centric policies, resource allocation, and effective implementation.
To underscore the urgency, CRY is organizing the ‘Walk to EmpowHER!’ – an awareness walkathon in Hyderabad and three other Southern states. John Roberts highlighted the event as a powerful stride towards shaping a brighter and more secure future for India’s girls. CRY’s commitment involves a multi-faceted approach, aiming to strengthen education, prevent child marriages, and eliminate child labor, with the ultimate goal of creating a future where every girl can dream big and achieve her aspirations
