Source: News on Air
Context: The Ministry of Women and Child Development is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative to empower the girl child and promote gender equality.
About Beti Bachao Beti Padhao:
- What it is: A government scheme aimed at addressing gender bias and promoting the rights, survival, and education of the girl child.
- Launched in: January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana.
- Ministry involved: Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare and Education.
- Objectives:
- Improve Child Sex Ratio (CSR).
- Ensure gender equality and empowerment of women.
- Prevent gender-biased, sex-selective elimination.
- Promote education and participation of the girl child.
- The scheme is divided into three components:
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- Advocacy campaigns were launched to address the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and Sex Ratio at Birth (SBR).
- Multi-sectoral interventions were planned and are being implemented in gender-critical districts across the country.
- A financial incentive-linked scheme—Sukanya Samriddhi scheme—was launched to encourage parents to build a fund for female children.
- Beneficiaries:
- Primary: Pregnant/lactating mothers, young parents, and girl children.
- Secondary: Adolescents, medical professionals, private hospitals, and families.
- Tertiary: Community leaders, media, NGOs, and the public.
- Eligibility:
- The family must have a girl child below 10 years of age.
- A Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) should be opened in the girl’s name.
- The girl must be a resident Indian.
- Features:
- Advocacy campaigns for addressing gender bias.
- Multi-sectoral interventions in gender-critical districts.
- Financial incentives through the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme.
- Measurable outcomes, such as improving CSR and providing functional toilets for girls in schools.
NOTE: The BBBP scheme is now integrated with Mission Shakti, a comprehensive program for women’s safety and empowerment, for implementation during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026.
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