Source:: Chanakyaiasacademy:: Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Scheme

INTRODUCTION

Government of India has introduced the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme for survival, protection & education of the girl child. It aims to address the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) through a mass campaign across the country targeted atchanging societal mindsets & creating awareness about the criticality of the issue. The Scheme will have focused intervention & multi-sectoral action in 100 districts with low Child Sex Ratio.

According to census data, the child sex Ratio (0-6 years) in India was 927 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001, which dropped drastically to918 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2011. A 2012 UNICEF report has ranked India 41st among 195 countries.

The village that succeeds in attaining a balanced sex ratio will be awarded Rs 1 crore’’ this strong incentive will reduce the declining CSR ensuring that the girl child gets equal opportunities to shine.

"Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" scheme is a joint initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development. Guidelines formulated by Ministry of Women & Child Development for implementation of "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" scheme have been issued to facilitate effective implementation of scheme on ground. These guidelines cover the key elements of the scheme including enforcement of Pre-Conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, awareness and advocacy campaign and multi-sectoral action in select 100 districts which are low on Child Sex Ration (CSR).

Objectives:

• Prevent gender biased sex selective elimination.
• Ensure survival & protection of the girl child.
• Ensure education of the girl child.

Strategy:

• 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.
• Mobilize & Train Panchayati Raj Institutions/Urban local bodies/ Grassroot workers as catalysts for social change, inpartnership with local community/women’s/youth groups.
• 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.

Criteria for Selection:

The criteria/norms for selection/identification of 100 districts under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program are as under:-

• 87 Districts have been selected from 23 States/UTs having Child Sex Ratio below the National average of 918.
• 8 Districts have been selected from 8 States/UTs having Child Sex Ratio above National average of 918 but showing declining trend
• 5 Districts have been selected from 5 States/UTs having Child Sex Ratio above National average of 918 and showing improving trend so that other parts of country can learn from them.

Activities:

The Sectoral interventions under the programme include the following:

• Ministry of WCD: Promote registration of pregnancies in first trimester in Anganwadi Centres (AWCs); Undertake Training of stakeholders; Community Mobilization & Sensitization; Involvement of Gender Champions; Reward & recognition of institutions & frontline workers.
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare: Monitor implementation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCP&DT)Act, 1994; Increased institutional deliveries; Registration of births; Strengthening PNDT Cells; Setting up Monitoring Committees.
• Ministry of Human Resource Development: Universal enrolment of girls; Decreased drop-out rate; Girl Child friendlystandards in schools; Strict implementation of Right to Education (RTE); Construction of Functional Toilets for girls.