Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda and Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi jointly inaugurated the 10 years anniversary celebration of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)schemeat Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, today. Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakurwas also present at the event. The day signifies a decade of continuous efforts to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in India.

In his special address, highlighting the milestone of completion of 10 years of the Scheme, Shri Nadda stated that “on this day in 2015, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme from Panipat, Haryana as a collaborative effort of the Ministries of Women & Child Development, Education, and Health & Family Welfare with the objectives of addressing declining child sex ratio, preventing female foeticide, and promoting the education and empowerment of girls.” “The success of the scheme lies in the policy shift to mainstream empowerment of women through a holistic Whole of Government approach. We have now moved ahead from women’s development to women-led development”, he added.

Shri Nadda underlined that “the government is working with a holistic approach toward women empowerment and the comprehensive development of girls.” Highlighting the shift in mindset brought in by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, he stated that “convergence between different ministries and departments has been ensured for effective implementation of BBBP Scheme as the scope and responsibility of the success of the scheme is not limited to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, but also includes collaborative efforts by the Union Health Ministry and Ministry of Education.”

Shri Nadda also highlighted the aspects of the scheme taken care of by the Union Health Ministry like conducting awareness campaigns and sensitization of all the stakeholders about the PC&PNDT Act. He also added that “the government is relentlessly working to ensure nutrition for women and children, provide healthcare to pregnant women through ante-natal checkups by ASHAs in Primary Health Centres, vaccination for pregnant women and children, and increase awareness.”

Shri Nadda emphasized that “due to the government's efforts, the Maternal Mortality Rate has decreased from 130 deaths per live 100,000 births to 97 deaths, the Infant Mortality Rate declined from 39 deaths per live 1,000 births to 28 deaths per live 1,000 deathssince 2014 and the under-five mortality rate in India has declined 75% which is more than the global average of 60%”. He also highlighted the different schemes of the government launched for women empowerment and their holistic development, like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Swachchta Abhiyaan, Startup India, Standup India and Namo Drone Didi.

He also gave the clarion callto women and girlsto become the ambassadors of change themselves by continuing the fight against gender discrimination and ensuring the credibility of their voices through empowerment.

Addressing the gathering, Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) stated that “BBBP is not only a schemebut an effort to bring about change in the mindsets and behavior of people regarding the girl child and to challenge the discrimination against girls.”She emphasized that “this scheme will contribute to making a Viksit Bharat in Amrit Kaal under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi”. She underlined the achievements and importance of different schemes and initiatives of WCD like the Mission Vatsalya, Poshan Abhiyan, and Mission Shakti Portal.”

Smt. Savitri Thakur, Union MoS WCD, stated that " Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is not only a scheme but also a medium of change in the mindsets of people and an effortto educate, secure, and empower girls.” She urged all the stakeholders to fight against the social evils that inhibit women's empowermentand to work for improving theirwomen’s capabilities that will not only ensure their development but also contribute to ensuring the vision of  Viksit Bharat.”

After an oath-taking ceremony, a compendium of BBBP Best Practices, Mission Vatsalya Portal, Mission Shakti Portal, and the Mobile App of  Mission Shakti were also launched at the event.

The eventwitnessed the participation of women officers from the armed forces, para-military forces, Delhi police, and women officers of Deputy Secretary and above levels from the Central Ministries. Furthermore, girl students (My Bharat volunteers), Anganwadi supervisors/workers, and representatives of the States and districtswere also invited to participate in the event.

Senior officers from the Government of India were also present at the occasion.

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 HFW/10-year anniversary celebration of BBBP /22^nd January 2025/2