The Census (2011) data showed a significant declining trend in the Child Sex Ratio1(CSR) between 0-6 years with an all time low of 918. The issue of decline in the CSR is a major indicator of women disempowerment as it reflects both, pre-birth discrimination manifested through gender biased sex selection, and post birth discrimination against girls (in form of their health, nutrition, educational needs). The principal factor behind the Child Sex Ratio being so adverse is the low Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). Social construct discriminating girls on the one hand, easy availability, affordability and subsequent misuse of diagnostic tools on the other hand, have been critical in declining CSR. The strong socio-cultural and religious biases, preference for sons and discrimination towards daughters has accentuated the problem.
Since coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child, the Government of India launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) on 22nd January, 2015 at Panipat in Haryana. It was initiated as a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development. From 2021-22, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Minority Affairs have also been added as partners.
Since 2021-2022, the scheme is subsumed into Mission Shakti – Sambal sub-scheme.
Overall Goal
Celebrate the Girl Child & Enable her Education
The objectives of the Scheme are as under:
- To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination
- To ensure survival and protection of the girl child
- To ensure education and participation of the girl child
- To increase girl’s participation in the fields of sports
Target
BBBP scheme aims to achieve the following:
- Improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points every year,
- Improvement in the percentage of institutional deliveries or sustained at the rate of 95% or above,
- 1% increase in 1st Trimester ANC Registration per year, and
- 1% increase in enrolment at secondary education level and skilling of girls/women per year.
- To check dropout rate among girls at secondary and higher secondary levels.
- Raising awareness about safe menstrual hygiene management (MHM)
Coverage
First Phase
The 100 districts (45.9KB) have been identified on the basis of low Child Sex Ratio as per Census 2011 covering all States/UTs as a pilot with at least one district in each state. The three criteria for selection of districts are:-
- Districts below the national average (87 districts/23 states);
- Districts above national average but shown declining trend (8 districts/8 states)
- Districts above national average and shown increasing trend (5 districts/5 states- selected so that these CSR levels can be maintained and other districts can emulate and learn from their experiences).
Second Phase
The scheme has further been expanded to 61 additional districts selected from 11 States/UT having CSR below 918. To get the list of additional districts covered, click here (70.4KB).
Pan India Expansion of BBBP
The Pan India Expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) covering all districts of the country was launched on 8th March 2018.
Target group
- Primary : Young and newly married couples and expecting parents, Adolescents (girls and boys) and youth, Households and communities
- Secondary : Schools and AWCs, Medical doctors/ practitioners, private hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic centres etc. Officials, PRIs/ULBs, frontline workers, Women Collectives and SHGs, civil society organizations, media, industry, religious leaders
Strategies
- Implement a sustained Social Mobilization and Communication Campaign to create equal value for the girl child & promote her education.
- Place the issue of decline in CSR/SRB in public discourse, improvement of which would be a indicator for good governance.
- Focus on Gender Critical Districts and Cities low on CSR for intensive & integrated action.
- Adopt Innovative Interventions/Actions by the districts as per their local needs, context and sensibilities.
- Mobilize & Train Panchayati Raj Institutions/Urban local bodies/ Grassroot workers as catalysts for social change, in partnership with local community/women’s/youth groups.
- Engage with Communities to challenge gender stereotypes and social norms.
- Ensure service delivery structures/schemes & programmes are sufficiently responsive to issues of gender and children’s rights.
- Enable Inter-sectoral and inter-institutional convergence at District/Block/Grassroot levels.
Components
Advocacy and Media Campaign on Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao
Under the Scheme, a Nation-wide campaign was launched for celebrating Girl Child and enabling her education. The campaign aims at ensuring that girls are born, nurtured and educated without discrimination to become empowered citizens of this country with equal rights. A 360° media approach is being adopted to create awareness and disseminating information about the issue across the nation.
Multi-Sectoral intervention in selected Gender Critical Districts worse on CSR
Under the Scheme, the multi-sectoral action in selected 405 districts (including existing 161 districts) covering all States/UTs will focus on schematic intervention and sectoral actions in consultation with M/o H&FW & M/o HRD. Measurable outcomes and indicators will bring together concerned sectors, States and districts for urgent concerted multi-sectoral action to improve the CSR.
Monitorable targets
- Improve the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in selected gender critical districts by 2 points in a year.
- Reduce Gender differentials in Under Five Child Mortality Rate from 7 points in 2014 (latest available SRS report) to 1.5 points per year
- At least 1.5 % increase per year of Institutional Deliveries.
- At least 1% increase per year of 1st Trimester ANC Registration. v)Increase enrolment of girls in secondary education to 82% by 2018-19.
- Provide functional toilet for girls in every school in selected districts.
- Improve the Nutrition status of girls – by reducing number of underweight and anemic girls under 5 years of age.
- Ensure universalization of ICDS, girls’ attendance and equal care monitored, using joint ICDS NHM Mother Child Protection Cards.
- Promote a protective environment for Girl Children through implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012.
- Train Elected Representatives/ Grassroot functionaries as Community Champions to mobilize communities to improve CSR and promote Girl’s education.