Kohima, September 27 (MExN): Orientation-cum-training programme for nodal officers of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) was held at the Conference Hall, Directorate of Science & Technology, Kohima on September 27.
According to a DIPR report, the programme was jointly organized by Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD), GoI along with State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB) and Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland.
Chairperson NSSWB, Bano Vinito cited that back in the day a girl child would grow up and carry her belongings to her husband’s place during marriage but instead, “we have come this far, and you and I are responsible for the success of this BBBP programme.”
Secretary NSSWB & Mission Director SRCW, Daisy Mezhur said BBBP will be beyond educating the girl child and urged the DCs to work closely with officials from Social Welfare Department. She further expressed the desire to work “outside the box” while implementing the BBBP programme.
Deputy Director MWCD, GoI, Ashok Kumar Jaiswal stated that to address the significant declining trend in the Child Sex Ratio between 0-6 years, the GoI started BBBP in 2015, and it was further expanded to more districts in 2016 due to the success of the programme. He said the aim of the training is to impart awareness, strategy, objectives, funds and how to report to government of the BBBP programme. He added that the programme is being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office.
BBBP was launched by PM, Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015 at Panipat, Haryana. The goal is to celebrate the girl child and enable education. The objectives of the scheme 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.
In Phase-I (2014-15), the scheme was started in 100 districts for focused intervention and multi-sectoral action, and Longleng District was the first to avail this scheme in Nagaland in 2015. These districts were identified on the basis of low CSR as per Census 2011 covering all states/UTs as pilot with at least one district in each state. In phase-II (2015-16), it was expanded in 61 districts covering 11states for creating awareness and advocacy, taking into account the criticality of the issue and performance of the scheme on the ground.
In 2016-17, 235 additional districts were covered and in Nagaland four districts: Zunheboto, Kiphire, Dimapur, Kohima have been included, thus, covering all the 640 districts as per census 2011 of the country. The Central Cabinet has approved the expansion of BBBP which would include Multi- sectoral intervention in 244 districts, thus covering all the 640 districts (as per 2011 census) of the Country to have a deeper positive impact on Child Sex Ratio.
Consultants from MWCD, Siddhi Mishra, Swaha K. Ramnath, Pratibha Gandhi and Arpan Jaiswal were the resource persons for the training. Presentations on various initiatives of BBBP were given by State and Districts and it was followed by interactions of District Nodal Officers. EAC Longleng, Rohbi Sangtam highlighted the activities of BBBP in Longleng district. Vote of thanks was delivered by Asst. State Coordinator, SRCW, Juliana Medom.
