The International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year on 11 October in order to respect the rights, potential and aspirations of girls and emphasise the challenges that can restrict their future. In Kashmir the occasion provides an opportunity to look not only at the challenges faced by the girls but also at the visible change taking place around us. Many talented girls were challenged for years to find opportunities beyond the traditional choices. It was not always easy to access specialised coaching, exposure to competitive platforms, sports facilities, technology and wider career options, especially for girls living in remote areas. However, circumstances are changing. In Kashmir, girls are coming to classrooms, laboratories, sports grounds and professional spaces with confidence and ambition.
Education is one of the most visible changes. In earlier times, the career goals of many girls were generally limited to a restricted number of familiar professions. Today young women are stepping into engineering, agriculture, research, technology and other specialised fields. In 2025, two Kashmiri students, Simrah Mir of Pulwama and Sadaf Mushtaq of Kulgam, set one of the most notable benchmarks when they successfully cleared JEE Main in their first attempt with 99.39 and 99.50 per centile respectively. The achievement was significant not only because of the marks but also because it showed that girls from Kashmir are increasingly looking at highly competitive national examinations and technical education. The same year, at SKUAST-K’s (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology) convocation, female students received 115 of the university’s 150 gold medals, while women received 2,661 of the 5,250 degrees. These achievements give a good indication of the significance of girls in higher education.
We can see the difference in the sporting field too. In Kashmir, young women are now more inclined to study disciplines that were not popular among them earlier. Ganderbal’s class 12 student Soliha Zahoor emerged as the first girl cyclist from the district to compete at the national level in 2026. Her journey, supported by her parents, reflects a growing acceptance among families of taking sport seriously for daughters, alongside education. Also, the growth of organised sporting activities in J&K has given more avenues for the young athletes to compete and get exposure. These accomplishments are about so much more than medals. Every girl who enters a competitive arena makes that arena that much more familiar and accessible to the girls who come after her.
It is about confidence and choice too. A girl who once had to justify why she wanted to take a non-traditional career path is now finding more and more examples of women who have already done so. Bit by bit, the stories of young Kashmiri girls in education, sports, science, technology and other fields are altering expectations within families and communities. Parents, teachers, educational institutions and sporting organisations all play a key role in this process. When girls are encouraged, get quality education, opportunities to compete and the freedom to discover their strengths, their potential is seen. So, the change is not only about a girl’s success, it’s about creating a culture where a girl’s ambition is an opportunity for the whole family and the community.
The International Day of the Girl Child reminds us that progress must reach every girl. The United Nations’ theme for 2026, “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights!”, is dedicated to ensuring that girls are free to learn, grow, make choices and shape their own futures. This message for Kashmir can be found in the achievements being registered in its towns, villages and educational institutions already. The journey goes on but the direction is obvious. Kashmir’s daughters are increasingly not waiting for opportunities to define them. They are making their own identity through hard work, education, courage and achievement.” Their rise is a tale of personal success, yes, but also a sign of a changing Kashmir.
