Transforming ‘Beneficiaries’ into ‘Leaders of Change’: A Decade of Success for ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’
Click to start listening
Synopsis
January 22 marks the 10th anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), celebrating a decade of efforts to protect, educate, and empower girls in India, fostering significant societal change and women's empowerment.
Key Takeaways
- 10-year milestone of BBBP initiative.
- Women-led development emphasis under Modi's government.
- Increased national sex ratio at birth.
- Significant rise in girls' enrollment ratio.
- Women entrepreneurs leading 1.4 million MSMEs.
New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) January 22 commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Abhiyaan, highlighting a decade of unwavering efforts to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in the nation.
The decade-long milestone not only resonates with the country’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 but also represents a significant transition from women-centric development to women-led development under the Modi government.
This groundbreaking campaign was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana, as a reaction to the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and to confront gender disparities.
The initiative to liberate and empower women has profoundly influenced societal attitudes towards gender equality in the last decade.
Over the years, BBBP has not only transformed societal perspectives but also fostered a sense of pride and confidence among women and their families, motivating them to chase their aspirations without fear of discrimination.
Currently, women entrepreneurs are recognized as the proprietors of 1.4 million Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises (MSMEs), marking a significant achievement that reflects the expanding opportunities for women in the nation.
Throughout the years, BBBP has evolved into a movement with government data showcasing the remarkable success of the initiative.
Key accomplishments include an increase in the national sex ratio at birth from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. The gross enrollment ratio of girls at the secondary level surged from 75.51% in 2014-15 to 78% in 2023-24.
The rate of institutional deliveries has escalated from 61% to 97.3%, and first-trimester antenatal care registrations improved from 61% to 80.5% over the past decade.
BBBP has also initiated impactful programs like the Yashaswini Bike Expedition, highlighting women's empowerment, and the Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav, which successfully re-enrolled over 100,000 out-of-school girls. Other significant events include the National Conference on Skilling: Betiyan Bane Kushal, focusing on workforce participation.
The decade-long journey of BBBP emphasizes the Modi government’s dedication to constructing a Viksit Bharat, where women evolve from mere beneficiaries to proactive leaders of change, thereby crafting a brighter and more inclusive future for all girl children.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative was established with the aim of empowering girls through education and ensuring they are equal contributors to the nation’s growth. Today, they are shattering glass ceilings and venturing into traditionally male-dominated sectors such as the police force, armed forces, and entrepreneurship.
The BBBP scheme has galvanized government bodies, civil society, media, and the public to tackle gender discrimination and promote a cultural shift towards valuing the girl child and safeguarding her rights and opportunities. This policy transition has cultivated an environment where girls are soaring to new heights and realizing their dreams.
