The trend of decline in the Child Sex Ratio
(CSR), defined as number of girls per 1000 of boys between
0-6 years of age, has been unabated since 1961. The decline
from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 and further to 918 in 2011
is alarming. The decline in the CSR is a major indicator of
women disempowerment. CSR reflects both, pre-birth discrimination
manifested through gender biased sex selection, and post birth
discrimination against girls. Social construct discriminating
against girls on the one hand, easy availability, affordability
and subsequent misuse of diagnostic tools on the other hand,
have been critical in increasing Sex Selective Elimination
of girls leading to low Child Sex Ratio.
Since coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure
survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child, Government
has announced Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. This is
being implemented through a national campaign and focussed
multi sectoral action in 100 selected districts low in CSR,
covering all States and UTs. This is a joint initiative of
Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development.
1. The Census (2011) data showed a significant declining trend in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR), calculated as number of girls for every 1000 boys between age group of 0-6 years, with an all time low of 918 in 2011 from 976 in 1961. The decline in CSR has been unabated since 1961. This is an alarming indicator for women disempowerment. It reflects both pre birth discrimination manifested through gender biased sex selection, and post birth discrimination against girls. The decline is widespread across the country and has expanded to rural as well as tribal areas.
2. Alarmed by the sharp decline, the Government of India has introduced Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme to address the issue of decline in CSR in 100 gender critical districts. Coordinated & convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and education of the girl child.
3.The Overall Goal of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao(BBBP) Scheme is to Celebrate the Girl Child & Enable her Education . The objectives of the Scheme are as under :-
4.The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative has two major components. i) Mass Communication Campaign and ii) Multi-sectoral action in 100 selected districts (as a pilot) with adverse CSR, covering all States and UTs
a.Mass Communication Campaign on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao The campaign aims at ensuring girls are born, nurtured and educated without discrimination to become empowered citizens of this country. The Campaign interlinks National, State and District level interventions with community level action in 100 districts, bringing together different stakeholders for accelerated impact.
b.Multi-Sectoral interventions in 100 Gender Critical Districts covering all States/UTs:- Coordinated & convergent efforts are undertaken in close coordination with MoHFW and MoHRD to ensure survival, protection and education of the girl child. The District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners (DCs) lead and coordinate actions of all departments for implementation of BBBP at the District level. Mulit-sectoral interventions includes: