New Delhi:
India commemorates a significant milestone in its journey towards gender equality as the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (BBBP) initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary. Launched on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Haryana’s Panipat, this flagship program has been a beacon of hope for the empowerment of girls and women across the country.
The BBBP initiative was conceived to tackle the critical issues of declining child sex ratio and gender imbalance. Over the past decade, it has evolved into a transformative, people-powered movement, engaging individuals from all walks of life. The nationwide celebrations, set to run from January 22 to March 8, will highlight the initiative’s profound impact and its continued commitment to creating a more equitable society.
Since its inception, BBBP has achieved remarkable milestones. The national sex ratio at birth has improved significantly, rising from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. This improvement is a testament to the program’s success in reducing gender-biased sex selective elimination and ensuring the survival and protection of girl children.
The initiative has also led to a substantial increase in the gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary level, which has risen from 75.51% to 78% over the same period. Institutional deliveries have seen a dramatic rise from 61% to 97.3%, and first-trimester antenatal care registrations have surged from 61% to 80.5%. These statistics underscore the program’s far-reaching impact on maternal and child health.
BBBP has gone beyond mere statistics to drive cultural and social change. Initiatives such as the Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav, which brought over a lakh out-of-school girls back to education, and the Yashaswini Bike Expedition, which showcased women’s empowerment, have been instrumental in this transformation. Haryana, in particular, has seen a 39-point rise in its sex ratio since 2015, although there has been a slight dip in recent years.
The government has planned extensive celebrations to mark this milestone. Beginning on January 22, these events will continue until March 8, International Women’s Day. The inaugural event in Delhi will feature Union ministers, senior women officers from the armed forces and paramilitary forces, Anganwadi workers, student volunteers, and representatives from international organizations like UNICEF, UN Women, and the World Bank.
Special programs are scheduled for January 22, January 26, and March 8, including rallies, cultural performances, and felicitation ceremonies for women achievers. A nationwide plantation drive and awareness campaigns across print, digital, and social media will also be part of the celebrations, further amplifying the message of gender equality and empowerment.
As India looks to the future, the BBBP initiative remains a cornerstone of its efforts to empower girls and women. Prime Minister Modi has emphasized the importance of continuing to protect the rights of daughters, ensuring their education, and creating a society where they can thrive without discrimination. With its transformative impact and widespread participation, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is poised to continue driving significant progress and opportunity for India’s daughters in the years to come.
