Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Advancing Dignity at Birth and Early Childhood Care

**Executive Summary** Launched on January 22, 2015, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative is a joint effort by the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Education to address gender discrimination and the declining Child Sex Ratio. The document highlights a decade of progress, specifically noting significant improvements in the Sex Ratio at Birth and secondary school enrollment for girls as of 2025. The government reiterates its commitment to strengthening the BBBP framework through a lifecycle approach to achieve women-led development. **Key Points / Main Content** **Initiative Overview and Objectives** * **Collaborative Framework:** A joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and Ministry of Education (MoE). * **Primary Goals:** Focuses on the survival, protection, and empowerment of the girl child while ensuring dignity at birth and early childhood care. * **Strategic Approach:** Utilizes a lifecycle approach and nationwide mobilization of government, media, and civil society to drive behavioral change. **Health and Gender Indicators** * **Sex Ratio Improvement:** The national Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) increased from 918 in 2014–15 to 929 in 2024–25. * **Health Services:** Success is attributed to preventing gender-biased sex selection and promoting institutional deliveries. **Educational Advancements** * **Enrollment Growth:** Secondary level enrollment for girls rose from 75.51% in 2014–15 to 80.2% in 2024–25. * **Retention and Transition:** Progress indicates improved school retention rates and smoother transitions between educational levels for girls. **Implementation Strategy** * **Advocacy and Engagement:** Employs sustained community engagement and advocacy to foster an enabling environment for holistic development. * **Convergence:** Relies on the convergence of efforts between various Ministries and States/UTs. **Impact Analysis** **Ministry of Women and Child Development / Implementing Ministries** **Impact** Responsible for leading the framework and ensuring inter-ministerial coordination to meet national gender targets. **Action Required** Strengthen the BBBP framework and maintain commitment to protecting, educating, and empowering the girl child. **Girl Children** **Impact** Primary beneficiaries of improved health services, nutrition support, and increased access to secondary education. **Action Required** Utilize available institutional delivery systems and schooling resources to ensure holistic development and empowerment. **States and Union Territories (UTs)** **Impact** Key partners in executing the initiative at the local level to ensure the reach of health and education services. **Action Required** Implement sustained advocacy and ensure convergence with central ministries to drive local behavioral change. **Communities and Civil Society** **Impact** Act as the driving force behind the nationwide movement to eliminate gender-based discrimination. **Action Required** Participate in community engagement activities and support an environment that ensures dignity and education for every girl.

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