Transforming Indian women’s confidence is Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao movement

The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) movement was launched on January 22, 2015 and the flagship scheme of the Indian government has sought to address the declining child sex ratio (CSR) in India and ensure that girls and women across the nation have the opportunities, care, and dignity they deserve.
Over the past decade, the BBBP scheme has achieved notable success in improving the Sex Ratio at Birth, increasing access to education, expanding healthcare, and supporting women’s economic empowerment. The program has partnered with government bodies, NGOs, and local communities to build a strong foundation for valuing and protecting every girl child.
Making a notte of the scheme, the World Economic Forum says that closing the workforce gender gap could increase global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 20%.
The BBBP scheme is now integrated with Mission Shakti and this comprehensive programme for women’s safety and empowerment, which has transformed contours of women’s landscape in India.
The scheme now emphasizes a multi-sectoral approach, involving health, education, child development, and community awareness. Over the past decade, BBBP has expanded its scope through collaborations between multiple ministries.
The primary objectives include:
• Preventing gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
• Ensuring survival and protection of the girl child.
• Promoting education and participation of the girl child.
• Improving Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by two points every year.
• Improvement in the percentage of institutional deliveries or sustained at the rate of 95% or above.
• 1% increase in 1st Trimester Anti-Natal Care (ANC) Registration per year.
• To check dropout rate among girls at secondary and higher secondary levels.
• Raising awareness about safe Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).
BBBP is a centrally sponsored scheme with 100% funding by the Central Government in all the districts of the country. Financial assistance varies based on the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in districts.
The campaign’s success is evident in the strides it has made toward addressing gender disparities, with impressive data reflecting its positive impact on society.
1. Improvement in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)
· From an SRB of 918 in 2014-15, the national SRB improved to 933 in 2022-23 (Source: HMIS, MoHFW). This steady increase showcases the collective impact of BBBP in raising awareness around the gender-biased practices that negatively affect the sex ratio.
2. Increase in Girl’s Enrollment in Secondary Education
• Girls’ enrollment in secondary education has seen a significant increase, with the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for girls rising from 75.51% in 2014-15 to 79.4% in 2021-22 (Source: U-DISE Plus, MoE). This reflects the positive influence of BBBP’s educational interventions.
3. Increased Institutional Deliveries
• BBBP also emphasized improving healthcare access for women. Institutional deliveries rose from 87% in 2014-15 to over 94% by 2019-20, ensuring safer childbirths for mothers and infants in many regions, which has been essential in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
4. Awareness Campaigns
• Specific campaigns like ‘Selfie with Daughters’ targeted at fathers with girl child gained nationwide traction.
• Community-level activities such as ‘Beti Janmotsav’ to celebrate the birth of girl child.
5. Skilling and Economic Empowerment of Women
• In collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, BBBP has made strides in promoting skill development among young girls and women, enhancing their economic participation. Vocational training programs have been introduced. The scheme also introduced specific initiatives for higher education and skill development for girls from minority communities.
• Programmes like ‘Khelo India’ aims to identify and nurture sporting talent among girls.

India has seen tangible results on the ground with the leadership of #NariShakti transforming India.
From women leading startups to commanding police forces, their role in shaping the nation’s growth is undeniable. Empowering women has now become a movement fuelling a wave of change across all sectors. This journey of women-led development continues to inspire a more equitable and prosperous India.
Women directors are making their mark in the startup ecosystem, with nearly half of all startups led by at least one female director. This shift is shaping the future of entrepreneurship in India, empowering women to innovate, lead and drive change.
India’s workforce is seeing a remarkable surge in women’s participation, particularly among those with primary education. This growth signifies a positive shift in societal attitudes and opportunities, empowering women to contribute to the nation’s economic progress.
Women entrepreneurs are driving the MSME sector in India, leading 1.4 crore businesses. Their leadership is key to the economic growth, showing how women are shaping India’s entrepreneurial landscape and breaking stereotypes.
A Leap for Women’s Welfare! The women’s welfare budget has witnessed a phenomenal 200%+ growth, soaring from ₹0.97 lakh crore in FY 2014 to ₹3.10 lakh crore in FY 2025.
Women are breaking barriers across sectors – from aviation to loco pilots in railways, defense to startups, and politics. Women are leading the charge in these fields.
The comment of United Nations in its 2024 report says that “the adoption of gender-responsive budgeting in India demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring resources are effectively allocated to meet the needs of women and girls.”
“Providing access to LPG across India by 2020 is a major achievement. It is not an energy issue, it is an economic issue, and it is a social issue,” said Fatih Birol, IEA executive. He said that use of forest wood and agriculture waste for cooking in rural households is a major source of respiratory diseases, affecting women and children and adding LPG is helping to provide a clean environment.
Kalpana Ajayan, Regional Head, South Asia, Women’s World Banking, said “Jan Suraksha schemes significantly protect rural and urban women and their families, proving that women are risk-aware, not risk-averse. “
“The Jal Jeevan Mission has empowered over 2.4 million women with skills and resources to manage and monitor their water supply, transforming rural India’s access to clean water,” said UNOPS and Sankala Foundation (2024 report).