Indian culture’s notorious desire for sons has resulted in alarming practices like female foeticide, female infanticide, and violence against wives and daughters. Couples, especially women, face enormous pressure to bear sons. Adding to this pressure are superstitious beliefs that place great importance on having a son for Hindu death ceremonies. People believe it to be essential for reincarnation. This persistent issue has prompted the government to launch the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme to address the fundamental rights of girl children, including their right to live with dignity and access equal opportunities. Despite the initiative’s well-intentioned nature, the question remains: Why is India still talking about Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao?
The concerning reality
Many will express a desire for both sons and daughters. However, often, the birth of a daughter is considered insignificant unless accompanied by one or two sons. This mentality leads to a continuous cycle where families keep having daughters in the hope of eventually being blessed with a son. The birth of a daughter without a son often earns the label of “unwanted.” In fact, a 2018 government report estimated that the desire for sons over daughters has led to the birth of 21 million “unwanted” girls.
In society, people often view women as “paraaya dhan,” a term implying they are assets of another household. It adds to the perception that they are burdens to be married off hastily. Families often view the birth of a girl as an unfortunate accident. It leads to the denial of proper education to many girls, and they are married off young. Sadly, these deep-rooted beliefs and practices have shaped a societal structure heavily reliant on having a son for the family legacy.
The Government of India introduced the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme in January 2015. This initiative was a collaborative effort by the Ministries of Women & Child Development, Human Resource Development, and Health & Family Welfare. It aims to ensure the survival, protection, and education of girls.
What is the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme?
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, which translates to “save girls, educate girls,” aims to address the socio-cultural barriers holding back the growth of girl children across the country. The campaign aimed to raise awareness and change the patriarchal mindset, such as the selective abortion of female foetuses. In 2014-15, the scheme was launched in 100 districts, and by 2015-16, it expanded to an additional 61 districts. Over time, a mass-media campaign popularised the initiative, reaching nearly 640 districts across the country.
What triggered the need for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme? The declining sex ratio, notably in northern India, raised concerns for child and women’s protection. The sex ratio dropped from 945 to 927 between 1991 and 2001 and further plummeted to 918 by 2011. This urgent situation demanded government action to protect the rights of children and women. The BBBP scheme initially focused on critical regions like Haryana, where the sex ratio was alarmingly low.
9 Years of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, what progress have we made?
Despite the well-intentioned nature of the initiative, its execution at grassroots levels has proven to be a failure. Consider, for instance, the mandatory requirement for girls under the age of 10 to open bank accounts to avail of the scheme’s benefits. However, the account matures when the girl reaches 18-21, at which point the family can withdraw the funds for her marriage. Therefore, one can discourse that the scheme itself perpetuates patriarchal norms. The scheme’s very essence is “Beti Padhao” (Educate the Daughter), yet why are the funds earmarked for marriage instead of her future education?
Indeed, the scheme has undeniably improved the child-sex ratio at birth and prevented girls from falling victim to female foeticide. However, can we confidently say that it has been successful in ensuring their overall empowerment and protection? Unfortunately, the situation for women, by various measures, seems to have deteriorated rather than improved.
According to records from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2012, 2.44 lakh crimes against women were reported. By 2021, the sixth year of the BBBP Scheme, this number rose to around 4.28 lakh. That indicates a staggering 42.96% increase. Furthermore, the rates of girls dropping out of school at the secondary level continue to rise. It suggests that there is still ambiguity surrounding the extent to which the scheme has effectively supported or implemented its intended objectives.
How well is the scheme being managed?
The scheme was supposed to provide full financial assistance to state governments to promote girl child education. However, the absence of a proper monitoring mechanism has resulted in unchecked implementation of the BBBPS. In Haryana, where 20 districts are gender critical, each district was to receive Rs 5 lakh for scheme implementation. However, instances of fund diversion have surfaced in various districts.
In Panipat, a considerable portion of the allocated Rs 5 lakh was directed towards the construction of a “Theme Gate” at the town’s entrance to commemorate the launch of the scheme. It is a bit perplexing, isn’t it? How exactly does the erection of a decorative gate contribute to advancing girl child education? One would think the stakeholders should utilise the funds more judiciously towards initiatives directly supporting education. It seems that we fell short on the “Beti Padhao” (Educate the Daughter) aspect of the campaign as well.
Similarly, in 2015, the Women and Child Development Department spent Rs 21.24 lakh from scheme funds on purchasing 1,800 laptop bags and 2,900 mugs. Instead of addressing necessities like books or sanitary products, which girls in rural districts often lack access to, the funds were allegedly used for items not specified in the scheme’s provisions.
What needs to be done?
Merely advocating for the importance of saving and educating girls falls short in addressing the core issue at hand. While it passionately promotes the necessity of safeguarding girls and empowering women, the scheme overlooks a crucial aspect. That crucial aspect is the perpetrators who stand in the way of their right to learn and equality.
To truly effect change, the scheme must recognise the role of men in perpetuating gender-based violence. Furthermore, it must challenge the patriarchal attitudes that dictate the lives of girls and women. Unless we address the root causes of gender inequality within our society, the scheme to save and educate girls will continue to fall short of its goals.
Many people know that society has unfair systems, but they are afraid to admit it and change things. They worry about pushback and upsetting the status quo. But if we want real progress, we have to face these issues. We need to break down unfair systems and make society more fair for everyone.
While some argue that “Beti Bachao” is only meant to improve child sex ratios in certain Indian states, we need to question why the government overlooks the broader context. True “Beti Bachao” begins not just with birth but with addressing the challenges girls face. These challenges start from the moment they encounter the predatory gaze of boys and men, societal pressures, and systemic oppression by patriarchy.
The final thoughts
Instead of framing it as “saving” women, the focus should be on educating men. In a world where men hold most of the power, why not launch initiatives to teach men how to respect and treat women equally? It’s time to move beyond just talking about these issues and start taking real action. We need tangible efforts, not just empty rhetoric. Only that will help address gender inequality.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
