Beti bachao, beti padhao programme: a right initiative to save the girl child

Abstract

In world, almost half of the total population made up of women but they still lag behind men in a lot of areas. The skewed child sex ratio is a prime indicator of women disempowerment, lack of value attached to her and disrespect. Over few years, a significant fraction of number of women has been at the receiving end of discrimination and exploitation. The skewed child sex ratio is because of both gender biased sex selection, and post birth discrimination against girls. The proliferation and abuse of advanced technologies coupled with social factors such as dowry, concerns with family name and looking up to the son as a breadwinner. Female feticide resulting in a decline of the child sex ratio has led to enforcement of Preconception and Prenatal diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) act.  On 22 January 2015 at Panipat in Haryana, Prime Minister of India launched the scheme Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save daughters, Educate daughters) programme. The initiative aims to improve the present low child sex ratio and increase the value of girl child by focusing on three pronged strategy for empowerment of girl child.