The government of India has implemented various schemes and programs to empower girls and women across the country. These schemes aim to address issues like female foeticide, lack of education, health, safety and financial independence among girls and women. The objectives are to change social attitudes, enable access to education, provide healthcare and nutrition, ensure safety and security, and make girls financially independent.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
This scheme was launched in 2015 across India to address the declining child sex ratio and empower girls through education. It is implemented by the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Education and Health. The objectives are:
- Prevent female foeticide and improve child sex ratio
- Ensure education of girls
- Increase awareness and change social attitudes towards girls
It was initially implemented in districts with low child sex ratio. Later expanded pan-India. The scheme provides education, healthcare and nutrition support to girls.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
Launched in 2015, this scheme encourages families to save funds for their girl child's education and expenses. It is a special savings account that can be opened for girls under 10 years. Minimum ₹250 and maximum ₹1.5 lakh can be deposited annually for 14 years. The account matures when the girl turns 21 and the money can be withdrawn for education or marriage expenses.
CBSE UDAAN Scheme
CBSE and Ministry of HRD launched this scheme to provide free online resources for girl students from Class 8 to undergraduate level. It aims to enable girls to pursue Science, Maths and Engineering education. Scholarships are also provided to girls from economically weaker sections for higher education in these subjects.
Balika Samridhi Yojana
This scheme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development provides financial incentives for families below poverty line for education of girl children. Benefits include post-birth grant of ₹500 and annual scholarship of ₹300 during Class 1 to 3; ₹500 during Class 4 to 8 and ₹1,000 during Class 9 to 10. Max 2 girls per family can avail this.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme
This residential school scheme by Ministry of Education aims to provide quality education to girls from SC, ST, OBC and minority communities. Schools are set up in educationally backward areas with boarding facilities. It covers Class 6 to 12 and also provides teacher training, vocational training for girls.
| Scheme | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Focus on improving child sex ratio, education, health of girls |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | Savings scheme for girls' education and expenses |
| CBSE UDAAN Scheme | Scholarships for girls in Science, Maths, Engineering |
| Balika Samridhi Yojana | Financial aid for BPL families for girls' education |
| KGBV Scheme | Residential schools for girls from weaker sections |
Chief Minister Ladli Laxmi Yojana (Madhya Pradesh)
This scheme by MP government provides incentives for families to educate girls and prevent gender bias. Scholarship of ₹2000 annually for Class 1-8 and ₹4000 for Class 9-12 is provided. Additional benefits at key milestones like secondary school completion, 18 years, 21 years etc.
This Conditional Cash Transfer scheme provides long term financial security for girls and reduces school drop-outs.
Mukhyamantri Rajshree Yojana (Rajasthan)
This scheme by Rajasthan government provides ₹50,000 in 6 installments from birth to graduation to families for welfare of girl child. It aims to improve sex ratio, education, and status of girls. Families have to fulfill conditions related to vaccination and school enrolment.
The scheme is helping change attitudes towards girls, reduce female foeticide and child marriages in the state.
Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana (Bihar)
This Bihar government scheme aims to improve sex ratio and status of girls in the state. It provides a one-time payment of ₹2000 to poor families on birth of girl child. This assists parents in meeting initial expenses on the girl child.
The scheme is tackling the issue of preference for sons due to economic reasons in poor families.
Dhanalakshmi Scheme
This centrally sponsored scheme provides cash transfers to families on birth of girl child, immunization, school enrolment and other milestones. Girl child completing 18 years also gets ₹1 lakh. This promotes value of girl child and improves care and education levels.
Conclusion:
The government is running many schemes to empower girls through education, better health and nutrition, financial support to families and change social attitudes. The schemes are showing positive impact in improving child sex ratio and school enrollment of girls. Awareness about these initiatives and ensuring coverage of all eligible girls can significantly improve gender equality.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme?
A1: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is a scheme by Government of India launched in 2015 to address declining child sex ratio and empower girls through education. It focuses on preventing gender biased sex selection, ensuring education of girls and changing social attitudes.
Q2: Who implements the Ladli Laxmi Yojana?
A2: Ladli Laxmi Yojana is implemented by the Madhya Pradesh government to support education of girls and change attitudes towards them.
Q3: What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?
A3: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a savings scheme by Government of India to enable families to save funds for their girl child's education and expenses.
Q4: Who can avail benefits under Balika Samridhi Yojana?
A4: Balika Samridhi Yojana benefits girls from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families by providing financial incentives for education of maximum 2 girl children.
Q5: What is CBSE UDAAN scheme?
A5: CBSE UDAAN scheme provides free online resources and scholarships to girls from Class 8 to undergraduate level for pursuing Science, Maths and Engineering education.
Q6: How does Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana help?
A6: This Bihar government scheme provides a one-time payment of ₹2000 to poor families on birth of girl child to promote value of girl child.
