The Inspiring Journey of the Selfie with Daughter (SWD) Campaign: From a Village Spark to a Global Movement for Gender Equality (9 June 2015 – June 2025)
In the modest village of Bibipur, Haryana, Sunil Jaglan captured a simple selfie with his young daughter Nandini — and in that tender moment, a transformative idea was born. He urged parents worldwide to share selfies with their daughters on social media, launching the campaign as “Beti Bachao – Selfie Banao.” What began as a local appeal to combat female foeticide and celebrate the girl child quickly ignited a powerful, heartwarming movement that would echo across borders and inspire millions.
Just ten days later, the campaign’s first milestone was reached: three outstanding “Selfie with Daughter” entries were awarded, proving that a single image could spark pride, dialogue, and collective action for gender equality.
Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly praised the campaign and invited citizens everywhere to join by posting their own selfies with daughters, amplifying its reach from a rural initiative to a national conversation on empowering girls.
In his iconic Mann Ki Baat radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi elevated the campaign further, dubbing it the “Silent Revolution” — a grassroots force quietly reshaping societal attitudes toward daughters and gender parity.
While addressing audiences in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again lauded the Selfie with Daughter campaign on the global stage, highlighting India’s innovative approach to gender equality before an international audience.
During his visit to London, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the campaign yet again, showcasing its universal appeal and positioning it as a beacon of social change visible to the world.
Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij launched the world’s first Selfie with Daughter Online Museum, creating a permanent digital archive that preserved thousands of heartfelt family moments and turned personal pride into a lasting global legacy.
At Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Pranab Mukherjee — affectionately known as Pranab Da — formally praised the campaign, launched the official Selfie with Daughter mobile app, and inaugurated the Selfie with Daughter Foundation, giving the movement institutional wings and international visibility.
In the Mann Ki Baat programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his support, reinforcing the campaign’s enduring role in fostering national pride in daughters and advancing women’s empowerment.
The campaign took education to the forefront by introducing sex-ratio sensitization classes in schools and even at Rashtrapati Bhavan, planting seeds of awareness in young minds and shaping future generations committed to equality. Additionally, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum recognized the Selfie with Daughter campaign in its official report, acknowledging its innovative use of social media as a tool for global gender advocacy and sustainable development.
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the prestigious Selfie with Daughter trophy, honouring exceptional contributors and cementing the campaign’s place as a celebrated institution of social change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi once more commended the Selfie with Daughter campaign, underscoring its vital contribution to India’s — and the world’s — ongoing fight for gender justice.
The campaign launched a dedicated website offering comprehensive information on women’s rights, transforming it from a viral trend into a robust knowledge platform accessible to users worldwide.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee personally honoured the campaign’s winners at a special event, celebrating its remarkable growth and continued impact on society.
The search for official Brand Ambassadors began, inviting inspiring personalities to carry the campaign’s message of daughter pride to even wider national and international audiences. The campaign also expanded inclusively with the launch of “Selfie with Daughter for Single Women,” extending support and recognition to single mothers and their daughters, breaking new ground in empowerment.
The Economic Survey of India 2018-19 described the Selfie with Daughter campaign as an “impressive” grassroots success, validating its role in driving measurable social progress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi again mentioned the Selfie with Daughter campaign in Mann Ki Baat, keeping its momentum alive in millions of Indian homes. Moreover, the UNDP Report on “Social Media for Youth and Civic Engagement in India” spotlighted the campaign as a shining example of digital activism that fosters awareness, civic participation, and youth-led gender equality efforts.
Five dynamic young girls were selected as candidates for the campaign, empowering the next generation of advocates to lead the movement forward.
The campaign received further acclaim in the Mann Ki Baat Charter, affirming its place as a cornerstone of India’s social transformation.
Amid the global lockdown, the Selfie with Daughter campaign surged virally once more, offering families a meaningful way to reconnect, reflect, and reaffirm their commitment to gender equality during challenging times.
A nationwide signature campaign for single daughters was launched, amplifying voices and building solidarity for equal opportunities regardless of family structure.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), representing 35 nations, publicly praised India’s Selfie with Daughter campaign as a powerful model for promoting pride in girls and combating gender bias on the international stage.
The campaign proudly crossed borders and was officially launched in Nepal, extending its message of daughter empowerment across South Asia and demonstrating its truly global resonance.
The Selfie with Daughter campaign reached the beautiful valleys of Kashmir, weaving its inclusive vision of gender equality into the fabric of diverse communities within India.
During the landmark 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Selfie with Daughter campaign, inspiring the nation with its decade-long journey of impact.
SWD Day was dedicated to Divyang girls, shining a spotlight on inclusion and ensuring that every daughter — regardless of ability — feels celebrated and empowered.
SWD Day honoured first-time female voters, linking the campaign’s legacy to democratic participation and inspiring young women to claim their rightful place in shaping the future.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the inspiring journey of the Selfie with Daughter campaign on his personal YouTube channel, reaching millions and reaffirming its significance as a people-driven success story.
The 10th-anniversary SWD Day will celebrate a decade of the Global Selfie with Daughter Campaign — a remarkable milestone marking its evolution from a single village selfie into an internationally acclaimed movement that continues to champion gender equality, challenge stereotypes, and prove that one proud father’s idea can indeed change the world.
every daughter is a reason to celebrate.