News Highlight
Extending the mandate of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme, the Central Government has announced the inclusion of skilling of girls in non-traditional livelihood (NTL) options in its flagship programme.
Need for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- The Census (2011) data showed a significant declining trend in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) between 0-6 years, with an all-time low of 918.
- The principal factor behind the Child Sex Ratio being so adverse is the low Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB).
- Since coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure the survival, protection, and empowerment of the girl child, the Government launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) on 22nd January 2015.
- It was initiated as a tri-ministerial effort of the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.
- From 2021-22, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Minority Affairs have also been added as partners.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
- The name Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao translates to ‘Save the girl child, educate the girl child.
- The scheme aims to educate citizens against gender bias and improve the efficacy of welfare services for girls.
- Objectives of the Scheme
- To improve the child-sex ratio
- To ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment
- To prevent gender-biased, sex-selective elimination.
- To ensure the survival and protection of the girl child
- To encourage education and participation of the girl child
- Nodal Ministries
- The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana is a national initiative run jointly by the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) and Ministry of Human Resources Development (MoHRD).
- Beneficiaries under the Scheme
- Achievements under the scheme
- The National Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) Index has shown an upward trend from 918 (2014-15) to 934 (2019-20), an improvement of 16 points in five years.
- 422 districts out of the 640 districts covered under BBBP have improved SRB from 2014-15 to 2018-19.
- The National Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls in secondary schools improved from 77.45 (2014-15) to 81.32 (2018-19)—3.87 points in four years.
- The proportion of schools with separate, functional toilets for girls rose from 92.1% in 2014-15 to 95.1% in 2018-19.
Changes introduced to the scheme.
- The scheme will now also focus on increasing the enrolment of girls in secondary education, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects.
New aims for the scheme include
- Ensuring a 1% increase in enrolment at the secondary level and skilling of girls and women every year.
- Creating awareness about safe menstrual hygiene, and
- Promoting the eradication of child marriages.
Content Source: The Hindu