NEW DELHI: Marking 10 years of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)’ programme, Union health minister JP Nadda on Wednesday asserted that govt was alert and prepared to fight against the misuse of new technologies that might be deployed to circumvent the law and carry out illegal sex determination.
He also said govt is focused on strictly implementing Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act. “The way technology is advancing, new ways are being found for carrying out sex determination. The health department is committed to checkmate such attempts,” Nadda said at a programme at Vigyan Bhawan .
Launched on Jan 22, 2015, BBBP aims at addressing declining child sex ratio, prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination, and promote survival, protection and education of the girl child.
The Annapurna Devi-led women and child development ministry highlighted that India’s sex ratio at birth has gone up from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24, as an indicator of progress. It also shared that gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary level has risen from 75.5% to 78%, and institutional deliveries have gone up from 61% to 97.3%. In addition, first-trimester antenatal care registrations have increased from 61% to 80.5%.
Devi said, “BBBP’s achievements will be celebrated till International Women’s Day on March 8. We will organise special programmes to raise awareness about gender equality and challenge gender biases.”
Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on X asked, “Ten years of Beti Bachao, our three questions to Modi ji — Why did BJP adopt the policy of ‘save the criminals’ instead of ‘save the daughters’? When will the women of Manipur get justice? Whether it is the Dalit daughter of Hathras or the daughter of Unnao, or our champion female wrestler, why has BJP always protected criminals?”.
Beti Bachao initiative has helped overcome gender biases: PM
With the government’s flagship ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)’ programme completing 10 years, PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the initiative has been instrumental in overcoming gender biases and has created the right environment to ensure that the girl child has access to education and opportunities to achieve her dreams.
Referring to the programme as a “movement”, Modi on X said over the past decade, it has become a “transformative, people-powered initiative and has drawn participation from people across all walks of life”.
“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the people and various community service organisations, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ has achieved remarkable milestones,” he added.
The PM said districts with historically low child sex ratios have reported significant improvements, and awareness campaigns have instilled a deeper sense of the importance of gender equality.
