The girl child in India: Investing early for equity
Abstract
India's progress in health, education, and economic development has transformed childhood for millions, yet the earliest years of girls' lives continue to be marked by inequities rooted in longstanding societal gender norms. 1 Although national programmes increasingly focus on adolescents, particularly on menstrual health, early marriage, and skills development-the foundational disadvantages shaping girls' trajectories begin far earlier, from pregnancy through the first decade of life.A lifespan-development perspective highlights the first 10 years a powerful window for achieving gender equality and long-term wellbeing for women and families.1
Fields of Study & Subjects
Global Maternal and Child Health
Gender
Education
and Development Issues
Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Indian Journal of Medical Research
- Volume
- 163
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1–3
- Publication date
- 16 February 2026
- Language
- EN