NE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 14
Rooted in India’s civilisational values that revere women as the cornerstone of family and society, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative has evolved into a powerful national movement that is redefining the future of women-led development by safeguarding the dignity of every girl child from birth to adulthood.
The flagship programme, launched on January 22, 2015, has gone far beyond being a government scheme to become a nationwide campaign driving behavioural transformation, strengthening gender equality and creating an enabling ecosystem where girls can thrive through education, healthcare and equal opportunities.
- From dignity at birth to education and empowerment, the flagship initiative transforms into a nationwide movement nurturing every girl’s potential
- India’s cultural ethos of honouring daughters finds renewed strength through sustained efforts to improve gender balance, education and early childhood care
- Sex Ratio at Birth improves while girls’ enrolment in secondary education records steady growth, reflecting a decade of behavioural change
- Government reaffirms commitment to building an inclusive and future-ready India where every girl is protected, educated and empowered to lead
Conceived to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and deep-rooted gender discrimination, BBBP is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Education, focusing on the survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child.
The programme reinforces the belief that quality care at birth and during early childhood lays the strongest foundation for a child’s future while simultaneously improving maternal well-being and strengthening families.
Over the past eleven years, the initiative has successfully mobilised governments, educational institutions, healthcare systems, media organisations, civil society groups and local communities to create a culture that values daughters and promotes gender equity across the country.
By placing dignity at birth, protection during childhood and access to education at the centre of its strategy, BBBP has fostered an environment that supports the holistic development of girls and encourages their active participation in nation-building.
One of the programme’s most significant achievements has been the improvement in key gender indicators.
According to the Health Management Information System (HMIS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) at the national level has improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 929 in 2024-25, reflecting sustained efforts to eliminate gender-biased sex selection and promote safe institutional deliveries.
Similarly, the education sector has witnessed encouraging progress.
As per the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data of the Ministry of Education, girls’ enrolment at the secondary level has increased from 75.51 per cent in 2014-15 to 80.2 per cent in 2024-25, indicating stronger retention and transition rates that are opening new avenues for education and economic empowerment.
BBBP continues to follow a comprehensive lifecycle approach that begins with ensuring a safe and dignified birth, extends through early childhood care and nutrition, and culminates in education, skill development and empowerment.
The initiative also promotes sustained behavioural change through extensive public awareness campaigns, community participation and coordinated action among Central Ministries and States and Union Territories.
“BBBP has evolved from a targeted policy intervention into a nationwide movement, mobilising stakeholders across government, media, civil society and communities.”
The programme underlines the importance of creating an environment where every girl child is valued, protected and provided equal opportunities to realise her full potential.
Reaffirming its long-term vision, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has reiterated its commitment to further strengthening the BBBP framework to ensure that every girl in India enjoys equal rights, quality education and opportunities for leadership.
“The Ministry of Women and Child Development reiterates its commitment to strengthening the BBBP framework, ensuring that every girl child in India is protected, educated, and empowered, thereby contributing to the vision of women-led development.”
As India advances towards becoming a developed nation, initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao are increasingly being recognised as instruments of social transformation, reflecting the country’s cultural values while laying the foundation for an inclusive future powered by educated, confident and empowered women.
