India, like many other countries, has a long history of gender discrimination. For decades, girls have been neglected, mistreated, and denied basic rights. One of the ways the Indian government is trying to address this problem is through the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. This article will discuss the BBBP scheme, its objectives, and its impact on the lives of the girl child in India.
Introduction
In 2015, the Indian government launched the BBBP scheme to address the issue of declining child sex ratio and empower the girl child. The scheme aims to create awareness about the importance of the girl child, increase enrolment of girls in schools, and improve the quality of education. The scheme has been implemented in all states and union territories of India.
What is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme?
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) is a flagship scheme of the Indian government aimed at promoting the welfare of the girl child. The scheme was launched on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana, by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The 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.
Objectives of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
The BBBP scheme has the following objectives:
i. To prevent female foeticide
The scheme aims to prevent female foeticide, which is the practice of selectively aborting female fetuses due to a preference for male children. This is achieved through the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which prohibits sex determination tests.
ii. To improve the quality of education
The scheme aims to improve the quality of education by providing better facilities in schools, promoting digital learning, and increasing the number of female teachers. The scheme also aims to encourage parents to send their daughters to school and increase the enrolment of girls.
iii. To promote gender equality
The scheme aims to promote gender equality by creating awareness about the importance of the girl child and changing the mindset of people towards them. The scheme also aims to encourage people to value the girl child and treat them equally to boys.
Implementation of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
The BBBP scheme is implemented at the national, state, and district levels. At the national level, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal agency for the implementation of the scheme. At the state and district levels, the respective state and district administrations are responsible for implementing the scheme.
The implementation of the scheme involves the following activities:
i. Creating awareness
The scheme aims to create awareness about the importance of the girl child and the consequences of gender discrimination. This is achieved through various campaigns, workshops, and seminars.
ii. Improving the quality of education
The scheme aims to improve the quality of education by providing better infrastructure, digital learning tools, and increasing the number of female teachers. The government has also introduced schemes like the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana to encourage parents to save money for their daughter’s education.
iii. Encouraging participation in sports and other activities
The scheme encourages girls to participate in sports and other activities by providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents. This helps in breaking the gender stereotypes and promoting a culture of gender equality.
iv. Creating a safe environment for girls
The scheme aims to create a safe environment for girls by improving the law and order situation and increasing the number of women police officers. The government has also launched a mobile app called ‘SHE’ to help women in distress.
Success Stories of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
The BBBP scheme has been successful in bringing about a positive change in the lives of the girl child in India. Some of the success stories of the scheme include:
i. Improvement in the child sex ratio
The child sex ratio in the country has improved from 918 in 2014 to 934 in 2020. This is a significant achievement as it shows that the scheme has been successful in preventing female foeticide.
ii. Increase in enrolment of girls in schools
The enrolment of girls in schools has increased from 48.3% in 2005-06 to 61.7% in 2018-19. The scheme has played a crucial role in increasing the enrolment of girls in schools.
iii. Improvement in the quality of education
The scheme has helped in improving the quality of education by providing better infrastructure, digital learning tools, and increasing the number of female teachers. This has resulted in an increase in the pass percentage of girls in board examinations.
Impact of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
The BBBP scheme has had a significant impact on the lives of the girl child in India. Some of the impacts of the scheme are:
i. Empowerment of girls
The scheme has empowered girls by providing them with equal opportunities to grow and succeed in life. It has helped in changing the mindset of people towards the girl child and promoting a culture of gender equality.
ii. Prevention of female foeticide
The scheme has been successful in preventing female foeticide by creating awareness about the consequences of gender discrimination and implementing the PCPNDT Act.
iii. Improvement in the health and nutrition of girls
The scheme has helped in improving the health and nutrition of girls by providing them with better healthcare facilities and nutrition supplements.
Challenges and Criticisms of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
The BBBP scheme has faced some challenges and criticisms. Some of them are:
i. Lack of implementation
The scheme has not been implemented effectively in some parts of the country, leading to a lack of awareness and limited impact on the ground.
ii. Limited focus on education
The scheme has focused more on preventing female foeticide and creating awareness, with limited focus on improving the quality of education.
iii. Cultural barriers
The scheme has faced resistance from certain sections of society due to cultural barriers and traditional beliefs.
Future of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
The BBBP scheme has a bright future, with the government’s continued commitment to empowering the girl child. The scheme is expected to expand its scope and impact to cover more areas and address the challenges it has faced. The government has also launched the Mission Shakti scheme, which aims to strengthen the safety and security of women and girls in the country.
Conclusion
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is an important initiative by the government of India to empower the girl child and promote gender equality. The scheme has been successful in creating awareness about the importance of girls and preventing female foeticide. It has also helped in improving the enrolment of girls in schools and the quality of education. However, the scheme still faces some challenges and criticisms, and more needs to be done to address these issues. The future of the BBBP scheme looks promising, with the government’s continued commitment to empowering the girl child and promoting gender equality.
FAQs
What is the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme?
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is a government initiative launched in 2015 to empower the girl child and promote gender equality in India.
What is the objective of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme?
The objective of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is to prevent female foeticide, improve the enrolment of girls in schools, and promote gender equality.
What are the components of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme?
The components of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme include awareness and advocacy, improving the quality of education, encouraging participation in sports and other activities, and creating a safe environment for girls.
Has the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme been successful?
Yes, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has been successful in bringing about a positive change in the lives of the girl child in India, with improvements in the child sex ratio, enrolment of girls in schools, and quality of education.
What are the challenges faced by the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme?
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has faced challenges such as lack of implementation, limited focus on education, and cultural barriers.