The relentless efforts made by the Rajasthan government helped increase the sex ratio. The government also devised ways to make families believe that raising a girl child is beneficial for them. What followed was a discerning leap in the child sex ratio. These are only a couple of factors which the Rajasthan government has been focusing on to translate the agenda of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao into reality.
As per Census 2011, Jhunjhunu had the child sex ratio (CSR) of 837, which was lowest in the state. In 2013, the Rajasthan government resolved to contribute towards the welfare of women and girls. The results were evident and the data spoke for itself. From April 2015 to March 2016, the sex ratio at birth in Jhunjhunu was 903. Thereafter, it increased to 944 during April 2016 to December 2016.
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In light of the massive success of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to announce the pan-India expansion of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (BBBP) scheme and National Nutrition Mission (NNM) from Jhunjhunu.
One of the 14 districts of the state which are covered under Centre’s Beti Bacho Beti Padhao, Jhunjhunu has witnessed a trail of women-centric developments including women employment programmes, women education and empowerment, etc. The district of Jhunjhunu was also felicitated and recognised on the ‘National Women’s Day’.
In the state, BBBP is implemented in 14 districts including Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Dausa, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Tonk, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
According to the officials in Jhunjhunu, various awareness initiatives were taken like planting samplings on birth of girl child, sending greetings to parents on birth of girl child, oath taking ceremonies were organised in schools, in government offices awareness was spread on the importance of girl child. Moreover, a brand ambassador for BBBP has also been roped in.
‘Beti janmotsavs’ were organised by the WCD, under BBBP at district, block and gram panchayat levels. Eighth vow (athwan phera) in mass marriage to refrain from sex selection in Sriganganagar, Bharatpur and Dausa districts are some of the other initiatives taken under BBBP
Under the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Abhiyan Rath’, people were encouraged to refrain from the practise of child marriage, making them aware of the ill-effects of the same, including deteriorating health of women due to early marriage.
To promote women education, the Rajasthan government take charge of Hostel fees, Tuition fees for meritorious girl students, thereby off loading the burden of their parents. In detail, two most meritorious girl students are selected from each district pursuing higher secondary education and are granted with education aids up to Rs 1 lac per year. From class XII to post graduation, these girls are provided with educational aids of up to Rs 2 lacs per year.
Here are other women-centric announcement highlights from the Rajasthan Budget:
- Substantial increase in honorarium and bearing entire amount of premium on Insurance schemes of more than 1.84 Lakh Aanganwari Workers under WCD
- Announcement related to Menstrual Hygiene Scheme for sensitization of stakeholders and providing sanitary pads for women under age group of 15 to 45 years through government intervention
- Recruitment of 1000 Nursing Training Teachers to accommodate under Child development projects
- Extending cover of Mukhyamantri Hamari Betiyaan Scheme to meritorious one orphan girl in each district
- Providing 50% subsidy of the cost of 1,000 Bulk Milk Coolers to the registered women Milk Co-operatives
Empowering women means empowering the state. The Rajasthan government understands the pulse of the women in the state and formulating efficient ways to enrich the state women with everything they deserve.
