The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative, launched on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Panipat, Haryana, has successfully completed a decade of championing the cause of girl child protection, education, and empowerment. This flagship program symbolizes India’s unwavering commitment to address gender disparity, promote women’s welfare, and build a foundation for a brighter, inclusive future.
Here, we explore the journey, achievements, and future goals of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.
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Genesis of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Launch: Introduced on January 22, 2015, in Haryana, a state then infamous for its skewed Child Sex Ratio (CSR).
- Objective: To combat the declining CSR, prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination, and ensure education and safety for girls.
- Collaborative Effort: Initially driven by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and Ministry of Education (MoE).
Integration with Mission Shakti
The program was further enhanced in 2021 under Mission Shakti, a comprehensive framework for women’s safety and empowerment.
Two Sub-Schemes Under Mission Shakti:
- Sambal (Safety and Security):
- Focus on women’s safety with initiatives like One Stop Centres (OSCs), Women Helpline (181), and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.
- Introduced Nari Adalat as an alternate grievance redressal mechanism for harassment and rights violations.
- Samarthya (Empowerment):
- Promotes women’s empowerment through Shakti Sadans, Sakhi Niwas, and Palna Creche for working women and their children.
- Supports maternal health and financial security under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which now includes the second child if it is a girl.
Objectives of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The scheme sets ambitious annual goals to ensure sustained progress:
- Improve Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Increase SRB by 2 points every year.
- Increase Institutional Deliveries: Ensure 95% or above institutional deliveries in targeted districts.
- Boost Education Enrollment: Enhance secondary school enrollment for girls by 1% annually.
- Reduce Dropout Rates: Address barriers leading to high dropout rates at secondary and higher secondary levels.
- Raise Awareness on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM): Promote safe and accessible menstrual hygiene practices.
- Increase First Trimester ANC Registration: Enhance registration rates for maternal healthcare.
Financial Allocations and Impact by Districts
The financial assistance provided to districts is proportional to their Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB):
- Districts with SRB ≤ 918: ₹40 lakh annually.
- Districts with SRB between 919–952: ₹30 lakh annually.
- Districts with SRB > 952: ₹20 lakh annually.
Key Achievements in 10 Years
Improvement in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)
- National SRB Increase: Improved from 918 (2014-15) to 930 (2023-24).
- Top-performing States:
- Rajasthan: 54-point increase.
- Haryana: 38-point increase.
- Himachal Pradesh: 33-point increase.
- Gujarat: 29-point increase.
- Areas of Concern: Decline observed in states like Odisha (-23 points), Karnataka (-19 points), and Bihar (-13 points).
Rise in Girls’ Enrollment in Secondary Education
- Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER): Increased from 75.51% (2014-15) to 78% (2023-24).
Increased Institutional Deliveries
- Institutional deliveries surged from 61% (2014-15) to 97.3% (2023-24), ensuring safer childbirth and better maternal healthcare.
Educational and Community Outreach
The program adopts a multi-sectoral approach involving health, education, and community awareness.
- Campaigns: Nationwide drives to promote gender equality and education for girls.
- Skill Development: Collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to enhance employability and skills among young women.
Celebrating 10 Years of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The 10th anniversary celebrations were inaugurated on January 22, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Key Attendees:
- Union Minister JP Nadda (MoH&FW).
- Union Minister Annpurna Devi (MoWCD).
- Highlights of the Event:
- Launch of the Mission Shakti Portal and Mobile App.
- Release of a compendium of BBBP best practices.
- Oath-taking ceremony for promoting gender equality.
National Girl Child Day and 2025 Theme
Observed annually on January 24, National Girl Child Day celebrates the rights of girls in India.
- 2025 Theme: ‘Empowering Girls for a Bright Future.’
- The day serves as a reminder of BBBP’s significant contributions and the ongoing journey toward equality.
Challenges and Future Roadmap
Challenges:
- Persistent societal biases and stereotypes.
- Regional disparities in program outcomes.
- Dropout rates among girls due to economic and cultural factors.
Future Goals:
- Viksit Bharat 2047: Align BBBP objectives with India’s vision for a developed nation by 2047.
- Strengthen grassroots implementation through partnerships with local bodies.
- Expand the reach of Mission Shakti for holistic women empowerment.
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Conclusion
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative stands as a cornerstone in India’s efforts toward gender equality and women’s empowerment. Over the past decade, the program has significantly improved the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), increased institutional deliveries, and enhanced education outcomes for girls.
With its integration into Mission Shakti, the scheme continues to empower women and girls, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. As India strides toward 2047, the enduring success of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao reaffirms the nation’s commitment to a gender-equal society. GS
FAQs
What is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao?
It is a flagship initiative of the Government of India to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and promote the education and welfare of the girl child.
When was Beti Bachao Beti Padhao launched?
It was launched on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana.
What is the slogan of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao?
The slogan is “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter).
Who is the head of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao?
The scheme is led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Education.
What is the achievement of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao?
The scheme has increased awareness about gender equality and contributed to the improvement of the child sex ratio in various districts across India.
What is the new name of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao?
There is no official new name for the scheme; it continues to be known as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
What is the main aim of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao?
Its primary aim is to prevent gender-biased sex selection and ensure the survival, protection, and education of the girl child.
What is Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programs?
The program involves multi-sectoral actions to enhance education and welfare opportunities for girls and spread awareness against female foeticide.
What is the benefit of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in English?
It promotes gender equality, empowers women, improves the child sex ratio, and ensures education and protection for girls.
Who gave the slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”?
The slogan was conceptualized as part of the campaign under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What is the Beti PM scheme?
It refers to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, launched by Prime Minister Modi to address the issues of declining sex ratios and promote girl child education.
What is the national girl child scheme?
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is recognized as a prominent national initiative for girl child welfare.
Who is the ambassador of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao?
Various notable personalities have supported the campaign, but the program itself doesn’t have a fixed ambassador.
What is the budget of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme?
For 2022-23, the scheme was allocated ₹311 crores.
When did Beti Bachao Beti Padhao start?
The scheme began on January 22, 2015.
Is Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao a personal campaign of the Government?
Yes, it is an official campaign of the Government of India aimed at public welfare.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme benefits:
- Improves child sex ratio.
- Promotes education for girls.
- Reduces gender discrimination.
- Raises awareness about the rights of the girl child.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao failure:
While the scheme has raised awareness, challenges like fund utilization and ground-level implementation persist.
Is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao a success?
It has seen moderate success in terms of awareness and improving sex ratios, but challenges in fund disbursal and monitoring need attention.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao statistics:
Reports show an improvement in the child sex ratio in districts where the scheme is implemented.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Notes:
The scheme is a centrally sponsored initiative addressing gender discrimination, launched on January 22, 2015.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao challenges:
- Limited fund utilization.
- Need for better local-level implementation.
- Resistance to societal change in certain areas.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme short note:
A government initiative launched in 2015 to prevent gender-biased sex selection and ensure the education and protection of the girl child in India.