WCD Ministry observes National Girl Child Day 2019; marks anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Theme

The theme of National Girl Child Day 2019 was “Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow”.

The theme focussed on the objective of generating awareness on the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and creating a positive environment around valuing the girl child.

Anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

On the same occasion, the Ministry also observed the anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme

The WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi felicitated the Principal Secretaries and Commissioners of the 5 States for their overall support, guidance and monitoring of the Scheme.

The District Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners of 25 Districts covering 21 States and UTs were also felicitated for their exemplary work done for- Effective Community Engagement (16 districts), Enforcement of Pre Conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (2 districts) and Enabling Girl Child Education (7 districts).

A booklet on ‘Innovations under BBBP’ was released on the occasion. The Ministry compiled 38 Innovative Activities from Districts to set an example for other Districts. These activities were categorised on 5 themes - Survival, Protection, Education, Participation and Valuing Girls.

• The scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi in January 2015 to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, ensure survival and protection of the girl child.
• This is being implemented through a national campaign and focussed multi sectoral action in 100 selected districts low in Child Sex Ratio (CSR), covering all States and UTs.
• The scheme was launched by the government in the backdrop of declining the Child Sex Ratio (CSR). As per the 2011 census, the CSR reduced from 927 in 2001 to 918 in 2011, which is an alarming trend.
• Seeing the good progress and improving trend of Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in 161 implementing districts, PM Modi in March 2018 launched all India expansion of BBBP covering all 640 districts, as per Census 2011.
• Out of 640 districts, 405 districts are covered under advocacy and multi-sectoral action while the remaining 235 districts are covered under media advocacy and outreach.
• The objectives of the scheme include preventing gender biased sex selective elimination; ensuring survival and protection of the girl child, and ensuring education and participation of the girl child.
• At the Central level, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry for the programme and the National Task Force headed by Secretary of MWCD monitor the scheme.
• At the State level, Chief Secretaries head the State Task Force (STF) with representation of Department of Women and Child Development, Health and Education to monitor the implementation of the scheme.
• The District Collectors and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) lead and coordinate action of all departments for implementation of BBBP at the District level.