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Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana: A Comprehensive Initiative to Address Declining Child Sex Ratio

The declining child sex ratio is a pressing concern for the entire nation, threatening severe social and moral decay if not addressed urgently. To combat this issue, the Government of India launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Yojana on January 22, 2015. This initiative aims to ensure the survival, protection, and education of girls while improving the gender ratio at birth. Currently operational in 52 districts across India, the scheme has been expanded under the Mission Shakti sub-scheme Sambal with updated guidelines in 2022-23 to address the evolving needs and challenges.

Introduction

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana was introduced to tackle the critical issue of declining child sex ratio, which poses a grave threat to the social and moral fabric of the nation. The initiative focuses on the care, protection, and education of girls, striving to create a balanced gender ratio at birth. As of 2022-23, the government has issued new guidelines under the Mission Shakti sub-scheme Sambal, allocating funds based on district-specific sex ratio at birth (SRB) data.

Key Components of the Scheme

Fund Allocation Based on SRB:

• Districts with an SRB of 918 or less are allocated ₹40 lakhs.
• Districts with an SRB between 918 and 952 receive ₹30 lakhs.
• Districts with an SRB above 952 are allocated ₹20 lakhs.

Collaborative Effort: Initially launched with the coordination of three departments—Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Education—the scheme has now expanded to include the Home Department, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Urban and Housing Development, Skill Development, and Sports and Youth Affairs.

Ground-Level Activities: Emphasis is placed on zero-budget advertising and increased expenditure on grassroots activities such as promoting sports among girls, organizing self-defense camps, constructing girls' toilets, providing sanitary napkins and washing machines, and raising awareness about the PC-PNDT Act.

Objectives of the Scheme

• Eliminate Gender-Based Sex Selection: Combat societal norms and practices that favor male children over female children.
• Ensure Survival and Protection: Guarantee the survival and protection of girl children through robust healthcare and safety measures.
• Promote Education and Participation: Ensure that girls receive quality education and participate equally in all spheres.
• Reduce Gender-Based Discrimination: Address and reduce instances of gender discrimination across communities.

Contact Information: For more information, individuals can contact the District Program Officer, Women and Child Development Department.

Achievements:

• The scheme is currently implemented in all districts under the Mission Shakti Sambal component.
• In the financial year 2022-23, ₹1,85,83,197 was spent on the scheme.
• 1293 awareness camps were organized to prevent child marriages in 2022-23.
• 33 girls were trained and selected for government services/police services under the Sashakt Vahini program in 2022-23.
• 4161 pink licenses were issued, and 537 gender champions were nominated in 2022-23.

Conclusion