Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and its impact on the Indian society

Introduction

In 2015, the Indian government under the leadership of PM Modi launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a landmark initiative addressing gender discrimination and promoting women empowerment in the country. Translating to 'Save the girl child, educate the girl child,' the scheme aimed to counteract the alarming decline in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) revealed by the 2011 national census. 

With an initial funding of Rs. 100 crore (US$ 13.5 million), the BBBP sought to challenge socio-cultural biases, combat pre-and post-birth discrimination, and foster a culture that values and invests in the girl child.

Governing Bodies 

The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), and Ministry of Human Resources Development (MoHRD). Each ministry has distinct roles, ranging from budgetary control to capacity building and community engagement.

Campaigns and ambassadors

Selfie with daughter campaign: In June 2015, the social media sensation #SelfieWithDaughter gained widespread popularity. The campaign originated from a selfie posted by Sunil Jaglan, the Sarpanch of Bibipur village in Haryana, featuring his daughter Nandini. This hashtag quickly evolved into a global symbol for celebrating daughters and emphasizing their importance worldwide.

Campaign Ambassadors:

Several individuals have served as ambassadors for the campaign, both presently and in the past. Here is a compilation:

- Tanishka and Riddhika Kotia, International Chess Players, proudly represent the Gurugram District.

- Vandana Katariya, an accomplished Indian hockey player, serves as the ambassador for the Haridwar district.

- Sakshi Malik, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2016, joined the cause as the brand ambassador for BBBP on August 26, 2016, extending her support to this crucial initiative.

- Tajamul Islam, a two-time Kickboxing junior World Champion.

- Avani Lakhara, a Paralympic champion recognized for her exceptional skills in rifle shooting.

Need for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana

The scheme was a response to the concerning decline in gender metrics, specifically the CSR dropping from 945 in 1999 to 918 girls per 1,000 boys in 2011. 

The root causes were identified as gender-biased sex-selective abortion and post-birth discrimination. Cultural preferences for boys were identified as the primary driver of these issues, prompting the launch of BBBP.

Various other trends have led to implementation of this scheme;

1. Female Foeticide: The decreasing ratio of female to male infants born in certain Indian states is attributed to the practice of sex-selective abortion, commonly known as female foeticide. Advancements in ultrasound technology have facilitated the early determination of a fetus's sex during pregnancy. 

1. Census Data: The issue gained prominence with the release of the 1991 national census results and worsened with the 2001 census. The 2011 census further validated the continued decline in the female population in specific Indian states, particularly in relatively prosperous regions. 

Objectives

The BBBP yojana has clearly laid out objectives;

1. Preventing Female Infanticide: A primary objective of the campaign is to combat the practice of female infanticide, a deliberate act of killing female infants. The initiative strives to raise awareness about the intrinsic value of the girl child and discourage the prevalence of sex-selective abortions.

1. Promoting Gender Equality: The campaign also endeavors to foster gender equality by challenging ingrained societal biases against girls. It encourages families and communities to accord equal respect and significance to girls, fostering a cultural shift towards gender equity.

1. Improving the Sex Ratio: The BBBP yojana targets the enhancement of the overall sex ratio in India by addressing the existing imbalance between male and female children. Through efforts to mitigate gender-based discrimination and violence, the campaign aspires to create a society that treats the female child on par with the male.

2. Encouraging Education for Girls: The "Padhao" (educate) facet of the campaign underscores the pivotal role of education for girls. Its objective is to ensure that every girl in the country has access to quality education and is empowered to pursue higher studies.

1. Enhancing the Status of Women: Extending beyond childhood, the campaign concentrates on elevating the overall status of women in society. This encompasses tackling issues such as early marriage, dowry practices, and various forms of discrimination and violence against women.

1. Community Participation: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao also actively promotes the engagement of communities, local bodies, and diverse stakeholders in the pursuit of its objectives. It underscores the pivotal role of society in instigating positive changes in attitudes and behaviors towards the girl child.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Scheme(SSY)

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) stands as a savings scheme initiated by the GoI under the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign. This scheme primarily aims to foster the welfare of the girl child by providing financial assistance for their educational and marriage expenses.

Key Developments

The government allocated Rs. 644 crore (US$ 87 million) for the BBBP scheme, with significant funds dedicated to awareness campaigns and intervention programs. Key developments include an upward trend in the National SRB Index and improvements in girls' enrollment ratios, school facilities, antenatal care registration, and institutional deliveries.

Girls in school in Chennai, India

 by DFID - UK Department for International Development

The National SRB Index witnessed an improvement from 918 (2014-15) to 934 (2019-20). Notably, 422 districts out of 640 covered under BBBP showed improvement in SRB. The National Gross Enrolment Ratio of girls in secondary schools increased from 77.45 (2014-15) to 81.32 (2018-19).

Road Ahead

To strengthen the program's impact, the government plans to conduct a detailed district-level survey, evaluating progress and identifying hurdles. The survey, conducted by an independent agency in collaboration with Niti Aayog, aims to enhance the execution of the scheme in low-performing states.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative stands as a pivotal effort to address gender discrimination and empower women in India. With comprehensive strategies, measurable outcomes, and encouraging progress, the scheme reflects a commitment to building a better tomorrow for our daughters. 

As the initiative moves forward, we can truly hope to build an India where every girl child is valued, educated, and empowered.