North News
Chandigarh, January 23
Punjab’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality has received national recognition, with Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, lauded the state’s initiatives under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, said Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development. She said that the national gender ratio at birth has improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. In Punjab, the birth ratio of girls has risen from 75.51% to 78%, thanks to the state government’s efforts. Institutional deliveries have also surged from 61% to 97.3%, she added.
Sharing details, she said that the Punjab government has made significant strides in balancing the gender ratio and promoting the birth of girls through targeted initiatives. One such initiative praised by Union Minister Devi is the Dhi Anmulli Daat campaign in Faridkot, which challenges patriarchal norms, she said. She further said that the campaign includes a traditional “Shreenh Rasam,” celebrating the birth of girls by marking homes with neem or shreenh tree leaves and preserving the baby’s footprints as cherished memories.
She said that the celebrations, such as distributing sweets, performing Giddha (traditional dance), and singing songs, were held in villages to honor newborn girls and parents also received baby blankets, grooming kits, and laminated imprints of their daughters’ footprints. Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the national recognition of these efforts highlights the Punjab government’s dedication to empowering girls and transforming societal perceptions. Punjab’s initiatives, like providing free driving classes to 120 girls in Hoshiarpur, are promoting gender equality and economic independence for women. She called on society to actively participate in these efforts to ensure a balanced gender future.
The Minister reaffirmed that under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, Punjab is committed to shifting societal attitudes and eliminating discrimination against girls.
