To generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls in India, a campaign was launched by the Government of India that is Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao which was launched with an initial funding of Rs100 crore. It mainly targets the clusters in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar and Delhi.
In 2001 the child sex ratio (0–6 years) in India was 927 girls per 1,000 boys, which dropped to 918girls for every 1,000 boys in 2011 according to the census data in India. In the Population Census of 2011 it was revealed that the population ratio of India 2011 is 919 females per 1000 of males. From the census 2001 data the Sex Ratio 2011 shows a downward trend.
The scheme is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.
On 22 January 2015 ,The BetiBachao, BetiPadhao (BBBP) was launched by PM NarendraModi . It aims to address the issue of the declining child sex ratio image (CSR) and is a national initiative jointly run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Education. It initially focused multi-sector action in 100 districts throughout the country where there was a low CSR.
The overall goal of the scheme is to Celebrate the Girl Child & Enable her Education. The objectives of the Scheme are as under:
- To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination
- To ensure survival and protection of the girl child
- To ensure education and participation of the girl child
The purpose of the scheme is covered as follows:
First Phase
On the basis of low Child Sex Ratio as per Census 2011,100 districts have been identified covering all States/UTs as a pilot with at least one district in each state. The three criteria for selection of districts are:-
- Districts below the national average (87 districts/23 states).
- Districts above national average but shown declining trend (8 districts/8 states).
- Districts above national average and shown increasing trend (5 districts/5 states- selected so that these CSR levels can be maintained and other districts can emulate and learn from their experiences).
Second Phase
The scheme has further been expanded to 61 additional districts selected from 11 States/UT having CSR below 918.
Pan India Expansion of BBBP
On 8th March 2018 the Pan India Expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) covering all 640 districts (as per census 2011) of the country was launched.
The scheme is implemented by targeting the different age group women as listed below.
Primary : Young and newly married couples; Pregnant and Lactating mothers; parents
Secondary : Youth, adolescents (girls and boys), in-laws, medical doctors/ practitioners, private hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic centres
Tertiary : Officials, PRIs; frontline workers, women SHGs/Collectives, religious leaders, voluntary organizations, media, medical associations, industry associations, general public as a whole .
Strategies
- To create equal value for the girl child & promote her education by implementing a sustained Social Mobilization and Communication Campaign.
- Place the issue of decline in CSR/SRB in public discourse, improvement of which would be an indicator for good governance.
- For intensive & integrated action focusing on Gender Critical Districts and Cities low on CSR.
- As per their local needs, context and sensibilities adopting an Innovative Interventions/Actions by the districts.
- In partnership with local community/women’s/youth groups mobilizing& TrainingPanchayati Raj Institutions/Urban local bodies/ Grassroot workers as catalysts for social change.
- To challenge gender stereotypes and social norms by engaging with Communities.
Project Implementation
For administration of the scheme and for budgetary control the Ministry of Women and Child Development would be responsible. The Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development will be responsible for overall direction and implementation of the scheme. At district level for the implementation of the SchemeDPO will be the nodal officer.The scheme will be implemented through ICDS platform/MSK/DLCW at district, block and village level in convergence with Health, Education and Panchayati Raj Ministry.
Social Media
To access the relevant videos on the issue of declining child sex ratio A YouTube channel on BBBP has been launched. For generating awareness and for easy access and dissemination Videos are being uploaded continuously and shared through this platform.Further, to engage with the nation, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Group has been launched on MyGov platform in order to seek active participation, engagement and whole hearted support in making this initiative of the Government a grand success.
