Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Progress and Impact

Introduction

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) - "Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter" - is a flagship central government scheme launched on 22 January 2015 at Panipat, Haryana. It addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and empowers girls through education and protection. The scheme represents a convergence of three ministries: Women and Child Development (WCD), Health and Family Welfare (HFW), and Education.

Background and Rationale

The Problem: Declining Child Sex Ratio

• India's CSR (girls per 1,000 boys aged 0-6) declined from 976 (1961) to 918 (2011) - an alarming drop
• Worst affected states: Haryana (830), Punjab (846), Rajasthan (888), Delhi (868), Uttarakhand (886)
• Causes:
  • Deep-rooted son preference (patriarchal norms)
  • Sex-selective abortion (PCPNDT Act violations)
  • Female foeticide and infanticide
  • Neglect of girl child's health and education
• Consequences:
  • Demographic imbalance (surplus males)
  • Increased violence against women
  • Trafficking and forced marriages
  • Lost human capital

Need for BBBP

• Earlier schemes (Dhanashree, Balika Samridhi Yojana) had limited impact
• Required a mass movement (Jan Andolan) - not just a scheme
• Multi-sectoral convergence needed - education, health, gender, and...