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Introduction
"Let us celebrate the birth of the girl child. We should be equally proud of our daughters. I urge you to sow five plants when your daughter is born to celebrate the occasion." -PM Narendra Modi to citizens of his adopted village Jayapur.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) was launched by the Prime Minister on 22nd January, 2015 at Panipat, Haryana. BBBP addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women empowerment over a life-cycle continuum. It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.
The key elements of the BBBP includes Enforcement of PC & PNDT Act, nation-wide awareness and advocacy campaign and multi-sectoral action in select 100 districts (low on CSR) in the first phase. There is a strong emphasis on mindset change through training, sensitization, awareness raising and community mobilization on ground.
The Government is trying to bring about a transformational shift in the way our society looks at the girl child. PM Modi in his Mann Ki Baat lauded the Sarpanch from Bibipur in Haryana who started a 'Selfie with Daughter' initiative. PM also urged people to share their selfies with daughters and it soon became a world-wide hit. People from across India and the world shared their selfies with daughters and this became a proud occasion for all those who have daughters.
Since the launch of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, the multi-sectoral District Action Plans have been operationalized in almost all states. Capacity-building programmes and trainings have been imparted to Trainers to further strengthen capacities of district level officials and frontline workers. Nine set of such trainings have been organized covering all States/UTs the Ministry of Women & Child Development from April-October, 2015.
Objective of the study
1. To study the effect of BBBP on sex ratios of different states
2. To study some local initiatives taken by different under BBBP to improve sex ratios
3. To study different strategies under the aegis of BBBP.
Significance of the study
Sex-selective abortion or female foeticide has led to a sharp drop in the ratio of girls born in contrast to boy infants in some states in India. Ultrasound technology has made it possible for pregnant women...