1990 - SAARC Year: Care for the Girl Child | Commemorative Coin

The third commemorative coin for the year 1990 was released to mark the observance of the SAARC Year of the Girl Child.

The SAARC Year of the Girl Child in 1990 marked a significant regional commitment toward recognising, protecting, and advancing the rights and well-being of girls across South Asia. Declared by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the observance came at a time when countries in the region were grappling with deep-rooted social challenges that disproportionately affected girls, including limited access to education, gender-based discrimination, early marriage, and inadequate healthcare. The initiative aimed to bring these issues to the forefront, encouraging governments and communities to take collective action to ensure that every girl could grow up with dignity, opportunity, and equality.

Throughout 1990, SAARC member nations undertook awareness campaigns, policy reviews, and community-based programmes to address the barriers hindering the development of girls. Emphasis was placed on improving access to primary education, recognising that schooling plays a crucial role in uplifting not only individual girls but entire families and communities. Healthcare initiatives highlighted the importance of nutrition, maternal health, and immunisation, acknowledging that early support lays the foundation for lifelong well-being. Public campaigns sought to challenge harmful social practices such as gender bias, unequal access to resources, and the cultural norms that contributed to discrimination and neglect. These efforts underscored the understanding that empowerment of the girl child was not solely a women’s issue but a societal responsibility requiring the participation of families, institutions, and policymakers.

The observance of the SAARC Year of the Girl Child also encouraged regional cooperation, allowing countries to share successful strategies, strengthen legal protections, and unify their efforts toward gender equality. Governments, international organisations, and civil society groups collaborated to advance reforms and promote environments where girls could pursue their aspirations without fear or limitation. By placing the girl child at the centre of regional dialogue, the initiative highlighted the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers and reaffirmed a collective desire to build a more equitable future.

The SAARC Year of the Girl Child in 1990 remains a landmark moment in South Asian history, symbolising the region’s resolve to uplift and empower its youngest female citizens. It reinforced the message that investing in girls is essential for social progress, economic development, and long-term stability. By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by girls and committing to their advancement, the initiative helped lay the groundwork for continued efforts toward gender equality throughout the region.