Gender composition of the human population is one of the basic demographic characteristics, which is extremely vital for any meaningful demographic analysis. Changes in the said composition largely reflect the underlying socio-economic and cultural patterns of a society in different ways. Sex ratio, defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the population, is an important social indicator to measure the extent of prevailing equity between males and females in a society at a given point of time.
The trend of decline in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR), in India has been unabated since 1961. The CSR has alarmingly declined from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 and to 918 in 2011. The issue of declining Child Sex Ratio is a major indicator of women disempowerment as it begins before birth, manifests in gender biased sex selection & elimination, and continues in various forms of discrimination towards the girl child after birth in fulfilling her health, nutrition and educational needs. Social construct discriminating against girls on the one hand, easy availability, affordability and subsequent misuse of diagnostic tools on the other hand, have been critical in increasing gender-biased sex selection of girls leading to low Child Sex Ratio.
As coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative was announced by the Government for implementation through a national campaign and focused multi sectoral action in 100 selected districts low in CSR, covering all States and UTs. Ministry of Women and Child Development, the nodal ministry for BBBP , is supported by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development in this endeavor where the objectives are: i) Prevention of gender biased sex selective elimination; ii) Ensuring survival & protection of the girl child; iii) Ensuring education and participation of the girl child.
This would involve multi-sectoral action, multi- departmental action in the 100 identified districts to lay focus on strict enforcement of Pre Conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC&PNDT Act), retention of girls in secondary schools, availability of functional toilets, capacity-building & sensitization of government officials concerned, grassroots functionaries and elected representatives, and promotion of early registration of pregnancy, institutional deliveries and registration of birth registration and creating gender champions at local level. Special emphasis would be laid on reward and recognition of Schools/ Panchayat/ Urban ward/ Frontline worker/Community volunteer on annual basis. Gender disaggregated data related to birth of girls and boys through the Guddi-Gudda Boards (Girls-Boys Board) would be widely displayed in prominent public places such as Panchayats, Anganwadi Centres, Health Centres, Tehsil Offices. This would also be used in discussions around the issue of CSR and value of girl child during panchayat meetings.
The focused schematic interventions for improving CSR & promoting education under this initiative is supplemented by a national level mass campaign aimed at ensuring that girls are born, nurtured and educated without discrimination to become empowered citizens of this country with equal rights. Further, the involvement of women in the socio-economic growth will not only lead to increased standards of living but will also be a causal agent for the development of a country. The Campaign interlinks National, State and District level interventions with community level action in 100 districts, bringing together different stakeholders for accelerated impact.
Department of Posts is pleased to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India