niñas

Niñas is the plural form of niña, a feminine noun in Spanish that denotes a girl or female child. The term is used for girls from early childhood through adolescence and does not imply adulthood. It appears in education, media, family discourse, and policy discussions when referring to young female persons.

Niña is the feminine counterpart of niño, the word for a child. The distinction reflects gendered nouns in Spanish; the plural niñas is formed by adding -as to the feminine singular. The word is widely used across Spanish-speaking countries with a similar meaning.

In demographic and policy contexts, phrases such as niñas y adolescentes are used to emphasize age and gender in research and programs addressing education, health, protection, and development. Cultural norms and family practices influence how niñas are raised and what opportunities are available to them.

Rights-based frameworks, notably the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, obligate governments to protect niñas’ education, health, and safety and to combat violence and discrimination. Progress has increased enrollment and outcomes in many places, but disparities persist, especially in areas affected by poverty, conflict, or unequal gender norms.