New Delhi [India]: The Ministry of Women and Child Development is set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, celebrating a decade of efforts to protect, educate, and empower girl children across India. This milestone aligns with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the global shift from women’s development to women-led development, a priority highlighted during India’s G20 Presidency and adopted by Brazil’s Presidency.
The inaugural event will take place on January 22, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, attended by Union Minister of Health and Family Affairs J.P. Nadda, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi, and Minister of State Savitri Thakur. Women officers from the armed forces, paramilitary forces, Delhi police, and Central Ministries, alongside Anganwadi workers, students, and international representatives from UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP, and others, will join the celebrations.
The three-month-long anniversary celebration will run from January 22 to March 8, 2025, culminating on International Women’s Day. Key highlights include the launch of a compendium of best practices, Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti portals, and events at state and district levels featuring rallies, cultural programs, and campaigns under SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women.
A Decade of Transformative Impact
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana, BBBP was introduced to address gender imbalances and the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR). Since its inception, it has grown into a national movement, mobilizing government agencies, civil society, media, and the public to challenge gender discrimination and advocate for the rights and opportunities of girl children.
Key achievements over the past decade include:
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Improved from 918 (2014-15) to 930 (2023-24).
- Education: Gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary level increased from 75.51% (2014-15) to 78% (2023-24).
- Institutional Deliveries: Rose from 61% to 97.3%.
- Antenatal Care: First-trimester registrations improved from 61% to 80.5%.
Initiatives such as the Yashaswini Bike Expedition, Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav (which re-enrolled over 100,000 out-of-school girls), and collaborations like the Doree TV Show have reinforced the scheme’s impact.
Looking Ahead
During the celebrations, nationwide campaigns will amplify BBBP’s message through print, digital, and social media. A plantation drive will also be conducted, emphasizing sustainability.
“This 10-year journey is a testament to India’s commitment to empowering the girl child and fostering a society where women are leaders of change,” the Ministry of Women and Child Development stated. With the success of BBBP, India reaffirms its dedication to building an inclusive future where every girl child thrives.