Introduction

The “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (Save Girls, Education Girls) was launched in 100 districts, and recently Union minister Maneka Gandhi announced it will be expanded to 90 more districts. The minister credits the success of the program as the reason behind its expansion.

Times of India quotes her as saying:

“Beti Padhao Beti Bachao was the idea of the Prime Minister and it has delivered good results… Now, the government will add 61 more districts in this programme.”

Program

The program was started last year by Prime Minster Narendra Modi with the hopes of improving both the sex ratio and encouraging the education of young girls. This is among a wide range of programs that the government has launched recently to help women and children. Women and Child Development Minister Gandhi discussed this program and others, today at the All India Regional Editors Conference in Jaipur. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program is the first major project of her ministry. She also discussed various other programs like a project that will provide panic buttons on mobile phones for women.

“Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao was the idea of the prime minister and it has delivered good results. Girls are now being born and it is a good sign. Now, the government will add 61 more districts in this programme.”

Conclusion

This is a good sign that the program is working in the first 100 districts. A report at the end of last year showed that in more than 50% of the districts there were signs of improvement. This program, combined with the other programs of the ministry, are a great step in the right direction towards expanding the government’s efforts in gender equality and education equality.

More such programs are needed that target the grassroots level to change mindsets and actions of the common people to fight against the gender-based problems that plague India.