Sustaining hope

WHEN the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme launched in Haryana in 2015, it was a beacon of hope for states like Punjab and Haryana, long plagued by gender imbalances. A decade later, the initiative boasts successes, but the enthusiasm of its early years seems to have waned. Haryana’s sex ratio at birth saw a commendable rise from 871 girls per 1,000 boys in 2015 to 910 in 2024. Yet, this progress has been uneven, with districts like Gurugram and Faridabad lagging below 900. Punjab tells a similar story, especially in rural areas where early marriages and school dropouts continue to derail girls’ futures. While institutional deliveries have increased, a deeper societal change remains elusive.

The scheme’s first few years thrived on community-driven efforts and robust campaigns. However, as enthusiasm dimmed, so did its transformative potential. A glaring issue was the heavy allocation — 78 per cent of funds between 2016 and 2019 — towards media advocacy instead of long-term investments in education and healthcare. Slogans like “Beti Khilao” following Haryana’s success in sports sparked hope, but the lack of sustained support for girls’ higher education and careers has left aspirations unfulfilled.

What’s needed now is a revival of that early spark. Punjab and Haryana must look beyond awareness campaigns and tackle patriarchal mindsets head on. Gender-sensitisation programmes in schools, involving men as allies in the fight for equality, and providing vocational training for girls can breathe new life into the programme. Accountability through better fund utilisation and district-level monitoring is crucial. BBBP began as a movement of hope. To keep that hope alive, it must evolve into a relentless push against gender inequity — one that uplifts not just numbers but also lives.