RECENT reports of a female madrasa student being bullied by her classmates and tortured by her teacher brings home the vulnerability of the girl child. Such incidents are underreported but occur in every sphere of life -- even at school, where we not only expect that a child's full potential will be nurtured, but where they will be protected from harm. Yet, 12-year-old Tayiba was actually punished for her abilities by those in whose care she was put -- bullied by her classmates for doing well in school, and allegedly beaten by her teacher for eating lunch when the whole class was forbidden to do so as a punishment. Unable to handle the trauma which only added to her sad childhood history of losing a parent at the age of two, she ended up at a mental institution.

For one, corporal punishment at educational institutions has been banned by the courts, but with continuing reports of its occurrence at schools across the country, how far is it really being implemented and, if not, then why not? Why are stronger monitoring mechanisms not in place and, when such incidents are reported, why are thorough investigations not conducted, followed by stern action against the culprits, which could act as a deterrent in future?

And secondly, as is sadly the case in any patriarchal society, girls and women bear the brunt of everything, with gender stereotypes, discrimination, violence and economic disparities affecting them disproportionately. While things will not change in a day, concerted efforts through social policy, legal action, political will and, perhaps most importantly, a change in mindset, is a start. Increasing our sensitivity to not the 'weaker' but the 'weakened' sex is key to bringing positive social change.

Today, while celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child, let us consider the potential and the contribution of half our population -- our girls and women -- and give them their due -- freedom from all forms of violence