Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme Overview

The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched on January 22, 2015, initially in 100 districts, to combat the alarming decline in the sex ratio at birth and promote female education across India. The campaign was a significant initiative of the  government to address gender inequality.

Goals and Objectives

• Initially aimed at saving the girl child and educating her.
• Expanded goals include improving menstrual health and promoting sports participation among girls.
• Responded to societal issues like sex-selective abortions and female infanticide.
• Part of a broader BJP manifesto focusing on women empowerment, promising measures like 33% reservation for women in legislatures.

Impact on Sex Ratio

The scheme has achieved some progress in improving the sex ratio at birth:

• In 2014-15, the sex ratio was 918 girls per 1,000 boys.
• Improved to 934 girls per 1,000 boys by 2021-22.
• Despite improvements, it remains below historical levels and WHO's natural sex ratio range (943-952 females per 1,000 males).

Girls' Education and Enrolment

• The scheme aimed to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in secondary education from 76% to 79% by 2017.
• As of 2023-24, girls' enrolment was at 78%, a slight decline from 80.1% in 2020-21.
• Boys' enrolment also declined from 78.3% to 76.8% over the same period.
• Higher secondary education enrolment for girls peaked at 58.7% in 2022-23 but dropped to 58.2% in 2023-24.

Literacy and Gender Gap

• Female literacy improved from 39.29% in 1991 to 70% in 2023.
• Male literacy was 64.13% in 1991 and 85% in 2023.
• The gender gap in literacy has narrowed, but it still exists.

Violence Against Women

• The scheme addresses violence against women by promoting self-defense skills among girls.
• Crime rates against women increased by 12.9% from 2018 to 2022.
• In 2022, the crime rate was 66.4 per 100,000 women, up from 58.8 in 2018.

Funding and Implementation Challenges

• Underutilization of allocated funds has been a significant issue.
• In 2020, the budget allocation was Rs 220 crore, with only Rs 60.57 crore utilized.
• Tracking of funds became more complex after integration into the Sambal initiative in 2021-22.

Political Context and Women Voter Turnout

• Launched around the time of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Delhi Assembly polls in 2015.
• Studies show a shift in women voters' support towards BJP since 2010, influenced by women-centric policies.