About the Scheme

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme is a tri-ministerial initiative of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource which focuses on awareness and advocacy campaign for changing mind-sets, multi-sectoral action, enabling girls’ education and effective enforcement of Pre-Conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act.
• Launched in 2015, BBBP addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women empowerment over a life-cycle continuum.
• The objectives of the Scheme are as under:
  • To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination
  • To ensure survival and protection of the girl child
  • To ensure education and participation of the girl child

First Phase

• The 100 districts have been identified on the basis of low Child Sex Ratio as per Census 2011 covering all States/UTs as a pilot with at least one district in each state.

Second Phase

• The scheme has further been expanded to 61 additional districts selected from 11 States/UT having CSR below 918.

Pan India Expansion of BBBP

• The Pan India Expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao covering all 640 districts (as per census 2011) of the country was launched in 2018.

Why in News?

• Expanding the mandate of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padao’ scheme, the Central government has announced the inclusion of skilling of girls in non-traditional livelihood (NTL) options in its flagship programme.
• The scheme will now also focus on increasing the enrolment of girls in secondary education, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. Women have been historically under-represented areas such as technology.
• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minority Affairs. It emphasises convergence between Ministries and Departments to ensure adolescents complete their education, build skills, and enter the workforce in a diverse range of professions, including in STEM fields.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/skilling-of-girls-in-non-traditional-livelihoods-included-in-beti-bachao-beti-padao-scheme/article65998460.ece