Irani to felicitate states for improving sex ratio at birth

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani will felicitate five states on Wednesday for improving sex ratio at birth over the last five years under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Debasree Chaudhuri will also preside over the event, according to an official statement.

The objective of the programme is to felicitate states and districts which are performing well in improving sex ratio at birth as per Health Management Information System (HMIS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data, and excellent performance in awareness generation and outreach, the statement said.

Five states and their 10 districts all over the country have been shortlisted for the award for their consistent performance in improving Sex Ratio at Birth over the last five years.

"Irani will be felicitating principal secretaries or commissioners of the five states and district magistrates or deputy commissioners of 10 districts (covering nine states) for consistent improvement in sex ratio at birth.

District magistrates or deputy commissioners of 10 additional districts, covering eight states, will also be felicitated for outstanding performance under awareness generation and outreach activities, it said.

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme was launched by the government in 2015 to end female foeticide, infanticide and help promote the education of the girl child.

Under the scheme, out of 640 districts, 405 are covered under advocacy and multi-sectoral action while the remaining 235 districts are covered under media advocacy and outreach.

The programme is a tri-ministerial effort of ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.