National sex ratio at birth improves to 930
The National Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) has improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. The gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary level has risen from 75.51 per cent to 78 per cent and institutional deliveries have surged from 61 per cent to 97.3 per cent.
These highlights were presented at the 10th anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative of the Union Government aimed at addressing gender imbalances and empowering the girl child.
Under the scheme, Punjab’s Faridkot district found a mention in the list of Compendium of Best Practices released by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development. Faridkot district made an effort to celebrate the birth of newborn girls through a special initiative called “Dhee Anmuli Daat”.
Cong accuses BJP of hypocrisy
The Congress accused the BJP of hypocrisy and asked why did the ruling party adopt a policy of “save the criminals” instead of “save the daughters”. In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “I want to ask the PM why did the BJP adopt the policy of save the criminals instead of save the daughters, when will the women of Manipur get justice and whether it is the Dalit daughter of Hathras or the daughter of Unnao, or our champion female wrestler, why has the BJP always protected criminals.” TNS
“Shreen Rasam is a patriarchal practice prevalent in Punjab in which leaves of Shreen tree or Neem tree are tied at the main entrance of the houses, when boys are born in the family. Effort was made to challenge this practice. We organised Shreen Rasam for girls in the village. Leaves of Shreen tree were tied at the main entrance of the houses of newly born girls and also the footprints of the girl children were taken and laminated,” the ministry said.
Special ceremonies were organised in the villages for the birth celebration of the newborn girls by distributing sweets, performing giddha and singing songs. The girls were given baby blankets and grooming kits, and the laminated footprints were given to the parents.
In Hoshiarpur, 120 girls are being given free driving classes for their empowerment, to increase confidence, create an ability to break traditional barriers and make them self- reliant.
“Besides, this will change the mindset of society, and help them dispel outdated stereotypes. Driving classes will give women a sense of security and independence,” the ministry said.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said, “The scheme’s success lies in the policy shift to mainstream empowerment of women through a holistic ‘Whole of Government’ approach. We have now moved ahead from women’s development to women-led development.”
He said the scheme was not limited to Women and Child Development; different ministries, including health and education, converged to ensure its success.
Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD), said, “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is not only a scheme, but an effort to bring about change in the mindset and behaviour of people regarding the girl child and to challenge the discrimination against girls.”
