January 24 to be observed as National Girl Child Day : Renuka Chowdhury

January 24th would be observed as National Girl Child Day from this year onwards, said Smt. Renuka Chowdhury, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Women and Child Development.

Addressing a session on ‘Increased Interaction with Diaspora Women’ in the ongoing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai this evening, she said that those Indian women who face domestic violence abroad would be offered all help if they approach the Indian missions with a copy of their passport. In extreme cases, if the victims want to return, they would be facilitated to come back to India, she said.

Instances of Indian women married to men abroad through matrimonial portals being cheated have come to the notice of the Department and the Government is contemplating on a law to check the menace, she said. She called upon the diaspora to help Indian authorities in their investigation about the men who abandon their wives in India leaving them pregnant.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Mrs. Subbulakshmi Jagadesan, who chaired the interactive session, said that deserted Indian women abroad would be provided with legal and financial assistance through accredited NGO’s working in the respective countries. Women facing divorce proceedings in foreign countries will also be provided all support by the Centre, she added.

MVVSM/NT/IV/MJS