By: Smt. Annpurna Devi
As India marches confidently toward its vision of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047, the transformative impact of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is a testament to how far we have come in our transition from women’s development to women-led development. Swami Vivekananda once said, “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on only one wing.” Inspired by this timeless vision, the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana. This landmark initiative sought to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in India and ensure that girls and women across the nation have the opportunities, care, and dignity they deserve.
The 2011 Census revealed a deeply concerning Child Sex Ratio of 918, a stark reflection of societal biases and the misuse of diagnostic tools. Through targeted, life-cycle-focused interventions, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched to not only reverse this trend but also lay the foundation for a future where women lead and thrive.
Over the past decade, the scheme has catalyzed significant progress. According to the Health Management Information System, the national Sex Ratio at Birth has improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. Institutional deliveries have surged from 61% in 2014-15 to 97.3% in 2023-24, while first-trimester ante-natal care registrations increased from 61% to 80.5%. Gross enrolment ratios for girls at the secondary level rose from 75.51% in 2014-15 to 79.4% in 2021-22. Additionally, the gap in infant mortality rates between male and female newborns has nearly disappeared, reflecting our commitment to equity in survival and care.
Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao movement has gone beyond improving statistics; it has redefined the narrative around women’s empowerment. Initiatives like the Yashaswini Bike Expedition, a 10,000-km journey by 150 women bikers in October 2023, symbolized the indomitable spirit of India’s daughters. The Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav in 2022 re-enrolled nearly 100,786 out-of-school girls, showcasing the power of education in transforming lives. The National Conference on Skilling emphasized the importance of women’s active participation in the workforce, bringing us closer to our vision of women-led development.
As we celebrate ten years of this transformative initiative, it is clear that the mission is far from over. If we are to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat, it is imperative to ensure that girls and women remain at the heart of our nation-building efforts. India cannot develop till her girls and women are able to live out their full potential. This is the time for us to take decisive action. We must strengthen the implementation of the The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act of 1994, address dropout rates in education, expand skill development programs, and provide targeted interventions at every stage of a girl’s life.
For the Financial Year 2023-2024, Female Labour Force Participation in India stood at 41.7%. While this is a significant increase from previous years, it is still below the Labour Force Participation of Men. Noteworthy also, is the fact that Female Labour Force Participation in the Urban areas is lower than Female Labour Force Participation in the Rural areas of the country. A large number of women in India, are involved in unpaid domestic care work. Our endeavour should be to not only foster an environment for more women to leave the folds of their domestic spheres and take up employment outside the house, but also to create a means to promote care work as a valid career and a profession, so women who are trained in care work, and want to pursue it, can do so while also gaining financial independence and seeing their efforts contribute to the economic growth of the country. According to the World Economic Forum, closing the workforce gender gap could increase global GDP by 20%. For India, this is not just an opportunity—it is a necessity. Women-led development is central to achieving our goal of a trillion-dollar economy and becoming a developed nation by 2047. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is not just a program; it is a movement that has inspired millions and positioned women at the forefront of India’s progress.
Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, we are witnessing a historic transformation. From women’s development to women-led development, the daughters of India are rising as changemakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. They are transforming into the leaders of their own growth story. Together, let us nurture their dreams and empower their journeys, ensuring that when India completes 100 years of independence, it does so as a nation where every woman plays a central role in shaping its destiny.
The writer is Union Minister for Women and Child Development
Courtesy PIB, Srinagar
