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Understanding the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign

A Comprehensive Look at Initiatives and Challenges

Understanding the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign

  • 27 Jan, 2024
  • 468

What is the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign?

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign is an initiative launched by the Indian government to save and educate the girl child. The primary objective is to improve the sex ratio in India, which has been a significant concern in various states, especially Haryana.

Why is the Sex Ratio a Concern in Haryana?

The sex ratio in Haryana, indicating the number of females per 1000 males, has been traditionally low. This issue arises from a cultural preference for male children, leading to harmful practices such as female foeticide.

What Has Caused the Recent Decline in Haryana’s Sex Ratio?

Despite initial successes of the campaign, the sex ratio has seen a decline recently. Factors contributing to this include complacency in government initiatives, lack of innovative strategies, and a reduced focus on the campaign's objectives.

Strategies Used to Improve the Sex Ratio in Haryana

  • Awareness Campaigns: Engaging the community to promote the value of girl children.
  • Pledges Against Female Foeticide: Encouraging families to commit to not engaging in sex-selective abortions.
  • Incentives for Families: Providing financial benefits to families raising girl children.
  • Stricter Law Enforcement: Implementing laws against sex determination and female foeticide.

New Initiatives Under Consideration

There is an ongoing discussion about leveraging social media influencers to create awareness and change societal attitudes regarding the importance of girl children. This approach aims to reach younger audiences and foster positive perceptions.

Challenges Faced by the Campaigns

Several challenges hinder the effectiveness of the campaign, including bureaucratic complacency, insufficient monitoring of programs, and the need for innovative methods to transform entrenched societal norms.

Tackling Female Foeticide

The government has taken serious measures to combat female foeticide, including deploying decoys to expose illegal sex determination practices and conducting inter-state raids to disrupt these activities.

Impact of the Campaign on the Ground Level

While health workers are actively involved in educating communities and promoting better treatment of girl children, the campaign's impact varies. Some regions report improvements, while others experience a continued decline in the sex ratio.

Government Support for the Campaign

There is a growing sentiment among some officials that the campaign no longer garners the same attention and priority from the government as it once did, leading to a potential loss of momentum in its efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the main goal of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign?
Answer: The main goal is to save and educate the girl child, primarily aiming to improve the sex ratio in India, especially in states like Haryana.

Q2. What are the key strategies used in Haryana to improve the sex ratio?
Answer: Key strategies include awareness campaigns, pledges against female foeticide, family incentives, and stricter enforcement of laws related to sex determination.

Q3. What challenges does the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign face?
Answer: The campaign faces challenges like bureaucratic complacency, lack of regular monitoring, and the need for more engaging approaches to change societal norms.

Q4. How is the government addressing the issue of female foeticide?
Answer: The government employs decoys to catch illegal sex determination practices and conducts raids to combat female foeticide effectively.

Q5. Has there been a change in government support for the campaign recently?
Answer: Yes, some officials believe the campaign is not receiving the same level of government attention, which may lead to decreased momentum and effectiveness.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary aim of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign?
A) To promote male child education
B) To save and educate the girl child
C) To improve male employment rates
D) To enforce laws on child marriage
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which state in India has a particularly low sex ratio that the campaign addresses?
A) Punjab
B) Haryana
C) Gujarat
D) Maharashtra
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What strategy involves pledges against female foeticide?
A) Financial incentives
B) Awareness campaigns
C) Public pledges
D) Law enforcement
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: What challenge does the campaign face related to societal norms?
A) High literacy rates
B) Bureaucratic complacency
C) Government funding
D) Lack of public interest
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: What action is taken against illegal sex determination practices?
A) Public awareness
B) Decoy operations
C) Financial support
D) Educational programs
Correct Answer: B

Question 6: How does the campaign aim to change societal attitudes?
A) By enforcing laws
B) Through social media influencers
C) By increasing penalties
D) Through traditional media
Correct Answer: B

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