The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme is being extended to all districts of India, as per the recent guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The initiative aims to address various issues affecting the girl child, such as sex-selective abortion, declining child sex ratio, and the overall empowerment and education of girls across the country.
What are the New Guidelines?
The recent guidelines focus on several key objectives to further enhance the impact of the BBBP scheme:
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB):
- The Ministry has set a target to improve the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points every year.
- Institutional Deliveries:
- The scheme now aims to increase the percentage of institutional deliveries to 95% or above.
- Girls’ Participation in Sports:
- Efforts will be made to identify sports talent among girls and link them with appropriate authorities under the Khelo India program.
- Self-Defence and Sanitary Needs:
- Promoting self-defense camps for girls and improving the infrastructure for menstrual health, such as constructing girls’ toilets and providing sanitary napkin vending machines in educational institutions.
- PC-PNDT Act Awareness:
- Awareness will be raised about the Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, 1994, which aims to prevent sex-selective abortions and gender-based discrimination.
- Zero-Budget Advertising:
- A push towards zero-budget advertising and a shift in focus towards sectoral interventions like women’s health and education. A report in 2021 revealed that about 80% of BBBP funds were spent on advertising, which the new guidelines aim to curb.
- Strengthening One-Stop Centres (OSCs):
- The government will add 300 more One-Stop Centres in districts with high crime rates against women or in geographically large areas. These centres are critical for supporting women facing violence, domestic abuse, and trafficking.
What is BBBP?
Launched in
January 2015, the
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme is a
joint initiative of the
Ministry of Women and Child Development, the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the
Ministry of Human Resource Development. The program primarily aims to
improve the child sex ratio,
empower women, and
promote the education and
participation of girls across India.
Main Objectives of BBBP:
- Prevention of Gender-Biased Sex-Selective Elimination:
The program works to curb sex-selective abortions and promote the protection of the girl child. - Ensuring Survival and Protection of the Girl Child:
The scheme focuses on improving the overall healthcare and survival rates of girls, especially by promoting institutional deliveries and increasing prenatal care. - Ensuring Education and Participation of the Girl Child:
BBBP aims to ensure that girls receive education at all levels and are encouraged to participate in various activities, including sports and cultural programs. - Protecting the Rights of Girl Children:
The initiative also emphasizes the legal and social protection of girls, safeguarding their rights against discrimination and violence.
Performance of BBBP Scheme:
The scheme has shown significant improvements in various areas since its inception:
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB):
- SRB improved from 918 girls per 1,000 boys in 2014-15 to 934 in 2019-20.
- Notable districts that have seen improvements include:
- Mau, Uttar Pradesh: 694 to 951.
- Karnal, Haryana: 758 to 898.
- Mahendergarh, Haryana: 791 to 919.
- Health Improvements:
- ANC (Ante-Natal Care) Registration increased from 61% in 2014-15 to 71% in 2019-20.
- The percentage of institutional deliveries improved from 87% in 2014-15 to 94% in 2019-20.
- Education:
- The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary school level rose from 77.45% in 2014-15 to 81.32% in 2018-19.
- The number of schools with separate toilets for girls increased from 92.1% in 2014-15 to 95.1% in 2018-19.
- Attitudinal Change:
- The BBBP scheme has successfully raised awareness about issues like female infanticide, lack of education for girls, and deprivation of rights. One of the key initiatives under this is the Beti Janmotsav, a program celebrated in each district to focus on the importance of girl children.
Related Initiatives:
Several government schemes and initiatives complement the BBBP program in promoting the welfare of girls and women:
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
A savings scheme aimed at encouraging the savings habit among parents of girl children. - CBSE Udaan Scheme:
A scheme designed to provide free online coaching for girl students who aspire to appear for competitive exams. - National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education:
A program that incentivizes girls from economically disadvantaged families to continue their education at the secondary level. - National Girl Child Day:
An initiative to raise awareness on issues related to girls and celebrate their potential. - Scheme for Adolescent Girls:
A program focused on providing nutritional support and life skills training to adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas.
Key Takeaways
The extension of the
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme to all districts, coupled with the new guidelines, represents a significant step towards achieving gender equality and improving the welfare of girls across India. The initiative has made notable progress in improving the
sex ratio,
health outcomes, and
education of girls, but further emphasis on
direct interventions and
empowerment is needed to continue this momentum.
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