UPSC Editorial Analysis: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

*General Studies-2; Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.*

Introduction

• The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched on January 22, 2015, with the goal of preventing gender-biased sex selection, ensuring the survival of the girl child, and promoting her education.

• As the scheme completes a decade, the article evaluates its achievements, limitations, and the way forward in the fight for gender equity.

Understanding the Problem: Declining Sex Ratios in India

• Skewed Child Sex Ratios

• The sex ratio at birth (SRB) continues to be low in India despite improvements in education, income levels, and healthcare. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) reported SRB at 929 girls per 1,000 boys, a marginal improvement from NFHS-4 (2015-16: 919 girls per 1,000 boys) but still indicative of persistent gender bias. Certain states, particularly in northern and western India, have historically had more skewed ratios.

• The sex ratio at birth (SRB) continues to be low in India despite improvements in education, income levels, and healthcare.

• The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) reported SRB at 929 girls per 1,000 boys, a marginal improvement from NFHS-4 (2015-16: 919 girls per 1,000 boys) but still indicative of persistent gender bias.

• Certain states, particularly in northern and western India, have historically had more skewed ratios.

• Persistence of Sex-Selective Practices

• Prenatal sex determination technologies have enabled gender-biased sex selection, despite the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. SRB skewed towards males is more prevalent in upper castes and wealthier economic groups, indicating that financial incentives alone may not be effective deterrents.

• Prenatal sex determination technologies have enabled gender-biased sex selection, despite the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994.

• SRB skewed towards males is more prevalent in upper castes and wealthier economic groups, indicating that financial incentives alone may not be effective deterrents.

• Regional Variations

• States like Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have shown improvement in SRB post-BBBP implementation. However, southern and eastern states, traditionally known for better sex ratios, are witnessing a decline in SRB—a concerning trend. Delhi has also recorded a drop in SRB despite being surrounded by states where improvements have been noted.

• States like Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have shown improvement in SRB post-BBBP implementation.

• However, southern and eastern states, traditionally known for better sex ratios, are witnessing a decline in SRB—a concerning trend.

• Delhi has also recorded a drop in SRB despite being surrounded by states where improvements have been noted.

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: Objectives and Strategies

• Core Objectives

• Curbing gender-biased sex selection through stricter enforcement of the PCPNDT Act. Improving girls’ survival, protection, and education. Delaying child marriages and increasing female education levels.

• Curbing gender-biased sex selection through stricter enforcement of the PCPNDT Act.

• Improving girls’ survival, protection, and education.

• Delaying child marriages and increasing female education levels.

• Key Strategies

• Awareness Campaigns: Nationwide and state-level initiatives to challenge patriarchal attitudes. Enforcement of Laws: Strengthening PCPNDT Act implementation to prevent sex-selective abortions. Financial Incentives: Schemes like Ladli and Aapki Beti Hamari Beti in Haryana to encourage families to support girls. Educational Empowerment: Scholarships and infrastructure support for girls’ education.

• Awareness Campaigns: Nationwide and state-level initiatives to challenge patriarchal attitudes.

• Enforcement of Laws: Strengthening PCPNDT Act implementation to prevent sex-selective abortions.

• Financial Incentives: Schemes like Ladli and Aapki Beti Hamari Beti in Haryana to encourage families to support girls.

• Educational Empowerment: Scholarships and infrastructure support for girls’ education.

Challenges and Shortcomings

• Limited Effectiveness Beyond High-Skewed Regions BBBP’s impact is not uniform; some southern and eastern states are experiencing a declining SRB. This suggests that targeted interventions in high-skewed states alone are insufficient.

• BBBP’s impact is not uniform; some southern and eastern states are experiencing a declining SRB.

• This suggests that targeted interventions in high-skewed states alone are insufficient.

• Persisting Patriarchal Mindsets Social norms like “bringing up a daughter is like watering the neighbor’s garden” continue to reinforce son preference. Changing attitudes requires deeper engagement beyond financial incentives.

• Social norms like “bringing up a daughter is like watering the neighbor’s garden” continue to reinforce son preference.

• Changing attitudes requires deeper engagement beyond financial incentives.

• Low Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP) Despite education improvements, FLFP remains one of the lowest globally (~25% as per World Bank, 2023). Economic insecurity for women limits their ability to challenge patriarchal structures. Women earn only ₹39.8 for every ₹100 earned by men, as per the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, ranking India 127th worldwide on wage parity.

• Despite education improvements, FLFP remains one of the lowest globally (~25% as per World Bank, 2023).

• Economic insecurity for women limits their ability to challenge patriarchal structures.

• Women earn only ₹39.8 for every ₹100 earned by men, as per the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, ranking India 127th worldwide on wage parity.

• Policy Focus on Conditional Cash Transfers Instead of Systemic Change Conditional cash incentives (e.g., Ladli scheme) do not address root causes of gender bias. BBBP needs to go beyond slogans and push for structural reforms in employment, property rights, and financial autonomy.

• Conditional cash incentives (e.g., Ladli scheme) do not address root causes of gender bias.

• BBBP needs to go beyond slogans and push for structural reforms in employment, property rights, and financial autonomy.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Gender-Responsive Policies

• Expand Focus Beyond Birth Ratios BBBP must move from “saving girls” to “empowering women” in employment, financial inclusion, and leadership. Increase female participation in STEM fields and entrepreneurship through incentives. Tackle Wage Disparity and Employment Gaps Bridge the gender wage gap by implementing equal pay mandates. Strengthen work participation through flexible work policies, childcare support, and maternity benefits.

• BBBP must move from “saving girls” to “empowering women” in employment, financial inclusion, and leadership.

• Increase female participation in STEM fields and entrepreneurship through incentives.

• Tackle Wage Disparity and Employment Gaps Bridge the gender wage gap by implementing equal pay mandates. Strengthen work participation through flexible work policies, childcare support, and maternity benefits.

• Bridge the gender wage gap by implementing equal pay mandates.

• Strengthen work participation through flexible work policies, childcare support, and maternity benefits.

• Strengthening Legal and Social Reforms

• Stronger Enforcement of PCPNDT Act Increase monitoring of diagnostic clinics and strict action against illegal sex determination. Strengthen accountability mechanisms at local governance levels. Women’s Property and Inheritance Rights Ensure fair inheritance rights enforcement, especially in communities that still deny daughters equal property ownership. Promote joint property ownership for women in families.

• Increase monitoring of diagnostic clinics and strict action against illegal sex determination.

• Strengthen accountability mechanisms at local governance levels.

• Women’s Property and Inheritance Rights Ensure fair inheritance rights enforcement, especially in communities that still deny daughters equal property ownership. Promote joint property ownership for women in families.

• Ensure fair inheritance rights enforcement, especially in communities that still deny daughters equal property ownership.

• Promote joint property ownership for women in families.

• Community-Led Engagement and Behavioural Change

• Grassroots Engagement Through Local Leaders Mobilize community influencers, religious leaders, and educators to challenge patriarchal norms. Increase male involvement in gender equality discussions. Transform the Narrative on Daughters’ Value Campaigns must shift from a “protect the girl child” mindset to “empower the girl child”. Promote positive messaging on daughters as contributors to family prosperity.

• Mobilize community influencers, religious leaders, and educators to challenge patriarchal norms.

• Increase male involvement in gender equality discussions.

• Transform the Narrative on Daughters’ Value Campaigns must shift from a “protect the girl child” mindset to “empower the girl child”. Promote positive messaging on daughters as contributors to family prosperity.

• Campaigns must shift from a “protect the girl child” mindset to “empower the girl child”.

• Promote positive messaging on daughters as contributors to family prosperity.

Conclusion

• BBBP has been a significant policy intervention in tackling gender-based discrimination in India. While it has helped improve SRBs in some regions, its impact remains limited due to deep-seated patriarchal attitudes and systemic economic barriers for women.

• Going forward, BBBP must transition from a protectionist approach to a rights-based empowerment model, ensuring that women have the same economic, social, and legal opportunities as men. Only then can we truly bridge the gender gap and move beyond conditional incentives to sustainable equality.

Practice Question:

“Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) has improved awareness but failed to create structural changes needed for gender equality.” Critically analyze the successes and limitations of BBBP in addressing gender disparities. (250 words)