The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme, marking its sixth year since introduction in 2015, was recently put under the spotlight. The evaluation of the scheme’s performance took place on the National Girl Child Day, which is celebrated every 24th of January. This day was initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development back in 2008.
About the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme
Launched to counteract gender-biased sex-selective elimination, the BBBP Scheme focuses on ensuring the protection, survival, education, and participation of the girl child whilst safeguarding her rights. Implemented as a nationwide campaign with multisectoral action concentrated in 100 districts displaying a low Child Sex Ratio (CSR), the scheme has oversight from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Assessing BBBP Scheme’s Performance
A key performance indicator of the BBBP Scheme is the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). Over the six years of implementation, the SRB has seen an improvement of 16 points – moving from 918 (2014-15) to 934 (2019-20) according to the Health Management Information System (HMIS) data. A total of 422 out of 640 districts under the scheme showed a positive shift in SRB from 2014-15 to 2018-19. For example, a significant rise in SRB was noticed in Mau (Uttar Pradesh), Karnal (Haryana), and Mahendergarh (Haryana).
BBBP’s Impact on Health
Since inception, the BBBP Scheme has also had a tangible effect on heath parameters. Specifically, the percentage of 1st Trimester AnteNatal Care (ANC) Registration increased from 61% in 2014-15 to 71% in 2019-20. Similarly, the percentage of Institutional Deliveries went up from 87% in 2014-15 to an impressive 94% in 2019-20.
BBBP and Education
On the education front, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls in secondary level schools has improved from 77.45 (2014-15) to 81.32 (2018-19). This data is supported by the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE). There has also been a stark improvement in the provision of school infrastructure with the percentage of schools possessing functional separate toilets for girls improving from 92.1% in 2014-15 to 95.1% in 2018-19.
Attitudinal Change Induced by BBBP
One significant impact of the BBBP Scheme is the attitudinal change it managed to incite on crucial issues such as female infanticide and lack of education for girls. The scheme has also successfully raised awareness about the deprivation of girls’ rights on a life cycle continuum. Celebrations like BetiJanmotsav in each district exemplify the societal shifts towards better understanding and acceptance of the girl child.
Other Initiatives for Girl Children
Apart from the BBBP, other schemes have also been launched in benefit of the girl child. UJJAWALA, for instance, has been initiated to combat trafficking through prevention efforts, rescue operations, rehabilitation, and re-integration of victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Kishore Health Card records information about weight, height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) of Adolescent Girls. Other beneficial schemes include the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) and Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.
