Visakhapatnam: While enrollment of girls at the elementary level has increased in the state, there has been a significant decline in the net enrollment rate at the secondary and higher secondary levels, according to a comprehensive report by NGO Child Rights and You (CRY). ,
The report also highlights significant concerns regarding the state of girl child welfare in Andhra Pradesh just ahead of National Girl Child Day.
The NGO’s analysis was based on various government data sources including NCRB 2022, UDISE+ 2021-22 and NFHS-5 (2019-2021), which focused on three core aspects such as education, security and health and nutrition.
According to UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) data, more than 80% of girls in Andhra Pradesh were enrolled in primary schools, but the net enrollment rates at the secondary and higher secondary levels fell to 49% and 37% respectively. Went.
As cases of rape and sexual crimes against girls make headlines, safety concerns also come to the fore. “The NCRB 2022 report shows that over 1,000 minor girls were reported as victims of rape and another 1,000 were reported as victims of sexual assault and harassment under the POCSO Act,” the CRY report said.
On the health and nutrition front, data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) shows that more than 65% of women aged 15 to 19 years in Andhra Pradesh suffer from anemia. Additionally, the report highlights that 29% of women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18, facing the challenges of early marriage and motherhood.
John Roberts, Regional Director, CRY (South), stressed the need for collective action, saying, “Although successive governments have taken active steps to improve the situation of girls, the data shows that the overall situation is much worse than expected. is less and makes collective demands.” And concrete action.”
Calling for joint efforts from government and civil society, Roberts said, “Governments have a critical role to play in prioritizing girl-centered policies, strategically allocating adequate resources, and ensuring effective implementation.”
In response to these challenges, CRY is organizing the ‘Walk to Empower!’ event, a walkathon that aims to raise awareness. Roberts explained, “This is not just a walkathon; This is a powerful step towards shaping a more promising future for India’s girls.
He concluded by reaffirming CRY’s commitment, “We will strive to bridge the gap in access to quality education, health care and security. By collaborating with local communities and authorities, we aspire to create a future where every girl can dream big and achieve her aspirations.
