Which programme of the Government of India directly targets at improving sex-ratio ?
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Understanding Government Initiatives for Sex Ratio Improvement
The question asks about a specific Government of India programme that directly aims at improving the sex ratio. The sex ratio refers to the number of females per 1000 males in a given population. A declining sex ratio, particularly the child sex ratio (0-6 years), is a matter of serious concern in India.
Let's examine the given options to identify the programme with this direct objective.
| Option | Programme Name | Primary Focus | Direct Impact on Sex Ratio? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Widow Pension | Financial support for widows. | No direct impact on birth or child sex ratio. |
| 2 | Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act (PCPNDT Act) | Regulates prenatal diagnostic techniques to prevent sex-selective abortion. | Indirectly prevents decline by making sex determination illegal. It is a regulatory act, not primarily a program for overall sex ratio improvement through awareness and holistic interventions. |
| 3 | Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Addresses declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and promotes education of the girl child. | Yes, explicitly launched with the objective of preventing gender-biased sex-selective elimination and ensuring survival and protection of the girl child. |
| 4 | Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | Small savings scheme for the girl child's financial security. | Promotes welfare of the girl child but does not directly target the sex ratio itself as its primary objective. |
Analysis of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched in 2015. Its main objectives are:
- To prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
- To ensure survival and protection of the girl child.
- To ensure education and participation of the girl child.
This programme directly addresses the root causes of the declining child sex ratio by challenging societal mindsets and promoting the value of the girl child through awareness campaigns and convergence of welfare services.
Comparing Options with Sex Ratio Improvement Goal
- The Widow Pension scheme is about social security for adult women.
- The PCPNDT Act is a crucial legal framework to curb sex-selective practices but is regulatory rather than a broad programme for improving the ratio through societal change and girl child welfare.
- The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana focuses on financial empowerment, a secondary benefit for the girl child.
- The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme is explicitly designed with improving the child sex ratio as a core, direct objective, combining advocacy, awareness, and convergence of related schemes.
Therefore, among the given options, the programme that most directly targets improving the sex ratio is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
Revision Table: Key Government Programmes
| Programme Name | Launch Year (Approx) | Primary Objective | Relation to Sex Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widow Pension | Various state/central schemes exist | Financial support to widows | Indirect (women welfare) |
| PCPNDT Act | 1994 (Amended) | Regulation of prenatal diagnostics, prevention of sex selection | Indirect (Regulatory, prevents decline) |
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | 2015 | Address declining Child Sex Ratio, empower girl child education | Direct (Key focus is improving CSR) |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | 2015 | Small savings scheme for girl child | Indirect (Financial welfare) |
Additional Information: Understanding Sex Ratio and Related Issues
The term sex ratio is important for demographic studies. A balanced sex ratio is crucial for a healthy society. Factors leading to a skewed sex ratio, particularly a low female-to-male ratio, include:
- Preference for male child (son preference).
- Sex-selective abortions.
- Neglect of the girl child leading to higher mortality rates.
Programmes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aim to combat these issues through multi-pronged strategies involving government, community, and individual efforts. Improving the sex ratio is not just a demographic goal but also reflects progress towards gender equality and women's empowerment.
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