Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed gratitude on the 10th anniversary of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (BBBP) movement, highlighting its transformation into a people-powered initiative with widespread participation. Launched on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana, the flagship scheme of the Indian government aims to address declining child sex ratios, prevent gender-biased sex-selective practices, and promote the survival, education, and empowerment of the girl child.
“Today we mark 10 years of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao movement. Over the past decade, it has become a transformative, people-powered initiative and has drawn participation from people across all walks of life,” PM Modi wrote on social media platform X.
The Prime Minister credited the scheme with breaking gender biases and creating opportunities for girls to thrive. “This movement has focused on overcoming gender barriers and biases, paving the way to ensure that the girl child has access to education and opportunities to achieve her dreams,” he added.
Highlighting the progress made in districts with historically low child sex ratios, PM Modi acknowledged the dedicated efforts of citizens, community organizations, and government bodies in achieving significant milestones. He noted that awareness campaigns have deepened public understanding of gender equality.
“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the people and various community service organizations, #BetiBachaoBetiPadhao has achieved remarkable milestones. Districts with historically low child sex ratios have reported significant improvements, and awareness campaigns have instilled a deeper sense of the importance of gender equality,” he said.
Emphasizing the need to sustain the movement, the Prime Minister urged stakeholders to continue protecting the rights of women, ensuring their education, and eliminating discrimination. “Let us continue to protect the rights of our daughters, ensure their education, and create a society where they can thrive without any discrimination. Together, we can ensure that the coming years bring even greater progress and opportunity for India’s daughters,” PM Modi concluded.
Over the past decade, the BBBP scheme has achieved notable success in improving the Sex Ratio at Birth, increasing access to education, expanding healthcare, and supporting women’s economic empowerment. The program has partnered with government bodies, NGOs, and local communities to build a strong foundation for valuing and protecting every girl child.
(With ANI inputs)