The Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme on January 22, 2025, highlighting its decade-long efforts to promote gender equality and empower the girl child in India. This flagship initiative, launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has made significant progress in addressing gender imbalances and ensuring equal opportunities for girls.
Inaugural Event
The commemorative event, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, was graced by prominent dignitaries, including Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurna Devi, and Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur.
The program underscored the progress achieved under the scheme and reaffirmed the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, emphasizing gender equality as a societal norm and developmental priority.
Achievements and Impact
Over the past decade, the BBBP scheme has delivered transformative results:
Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) improved from 918 (2014-15) to 930 (2023-24).
Gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary level increased from 75.51% to 78%.
Institutional deliveries surged from 61% to 97.3%.
First-trimester antenatal care registrations rose from 61% to 80.5%.
These figures reflect the scheme’s success in addressing gender discrimination and promoting women-led development.
Keynote Addresses
Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda emphasized the improvements in healthcare, education, and social awareness achieved under the BBBP initiative. He stated,
“The scheme’s success is evident in the significant strides made in critical areas, ensuring that every girl child receives the care and opportunities she deserves.”
Smt. Annpurna Devi highlighted the scheme’s role as a catalyst for social change, transforming it into a nationwide movement. She remarked,
“Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has evolved beyond a government initiative to become a collective mission. It has significantly enhanced the status of girls, ensuring their education, health, and development.”
Smt. Savitri Thakur commended the cultural shift brought about by the scheme, saying,
“This milestone reaffirms our commitment to creating an environment where every girl has access to education, health, and a promising future.”
New Initiatives
Several key programs were launched during the event to strengthen women’s and children’s empowerment:
Compendium of Best Practices
Mission Vatsalya Portal
Mission Shakti Portal
Mission Shakti Mobile App
Celebratory Activities
The 10th-anniversary celebrations will continue nationwide from January 22 to March 8, 2025, culminating on International Women’s Day. Activities include:
Rallies, cultural events, and awareness campaigns to promote BBBP objectives.
A plantation drive emphasizing sustainability and inclusive development.
The Road Ahead
The Ministry of Women and Child Development reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the BBBP scheme continues to serve as a beacon of empowerment, fostering gender equality and contributing to a brighter future for the nation.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme remains a cornerstone of India’s vision for a progressive, inclusive, and gender-equal society.
