Sex selection has always been a problem in India. It has prevented women from taking their rightful place in the society and workforce. The male-dominated society wiped off multiple opportunities for women, reducing them just to their homes.

However, with the change in time, the government realised the need to bring a change in the mindset of society. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme was launched to deal with such and many more issues. Let us delve into the details of this government scheme.

What Is The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (बेटी बचाओ बेटी पढ़ाओ) Scheme?

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme (BBBP) was launched in 2015 by the government of India. The govt scheme aims to reduce gender discrimination and female infanticide. Such discrimination has led to poor Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in multiple states of India.

The scheme was mainly intended to target the northern part of the country, in states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan where there was an urgent need to address the falling CSR. However, with time, other states such as Madhya Pradesh also endorsed this government scheme and worked to the furtherance of it.

The BBBP scheme has a bundle of initiatives under it that spread awareness.

Read More: Union Budget 2024: Three Major Schemes To Boost Employment, Skilling And Education.

What Are The Objectives Of The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (बेटी बचाओ बेटी पढ़ाओ) Scheme?

The objectives of the BBBP scheme revolve around women’s empowerment and the means to achieve it. They are given below:

• Improving Child Sex Ratio

• Ensuring Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

• Prevention of Gender Bias and Sex Selection

• Ensuring Survival and Protection of Girl Child

• Promoting Education of Girl Children

Components Of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

There are three components of the BBBP (बेटी बचाओ बेटी पढ़ाओ) scheme. They are given below:

• Awareness campaigns were launched to address the declining CSR and Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in states.

• Implementation and planning of multi-sectoral interventions or changes in policies, especially for gender-critical districts.

• Sukanya Samridhi Yojana was started to provide financial assistance and promote the education of girls.

The campaigns and initiatives launched through the major components of this govt scheme for girls aim to achieve the following:

• Improve SRB in select gender-critical districts by 2 points every year.

• Reduce gender difference in the under-five child mortality rate metric by 1.5 points every year.

• Provide toilets for girls in every school of select districts.

• Increasing first-trimester antenatal care registration by 1% per year.

• Improving nutritional status by reducing the number of underweight and anaemic girls (under five years of age).

What Is Sukanya Samridhi Yojana?

The Sukanya Samridhi Yojana is a government scheme under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme which helps parents in saving for their daughter’s education. It is a financial incentive scheme linked to the BBBP scheme.

Also, learn about other schemes under the BBBP scheme such as Ladli Bahin Yojana by reading this article by Jaagruk Bharat “Maharashtra Government Expands ‘Ladki Bahin Scheme’ To Empower More Women”.

What Is The Eligibility Criteria For This Scheme?

• Family must have a girl child below 10 years of age.

• Sukanya Samriddhi Account in the name of the girl child.

• The girl child should be a resident of India.

The following documents may also be required to be a beneficiary under this scheme:

• Birth Certificate of the Girl Child.

• IdentityProof of Parents (Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, etc.)

• Address Proof of Parents.

• Passport size photograph.

How To Apply For Benefits Under This Scheme?

The procedure to avail of the benefits of the Sukanya scheme or the BBBP scheme is given below:

• Visit a national bank or post office.

• Obtain and fill out the application form for BBBP/SSA.

• Attach the required documents.

• Submit the documents to the bank/post office. The account must be opened in the name of the girl child.

Conclusion

Women’s empowerment is important to bridge the gaps in our society. Stopping and reducing female infanticide is essential to balance society and provide a safe living space for women as well. The beti bachao, beti padhao (बेटी बचाओ बेटी पढ़ाओ) scheme is a positive measure of the government which is achieving milestones.

For more information, grievances and queries, reach out to the Ministry of Women and Child Development by accessing their directory here.