New Delhi: For the first time in the country, the number of women is greater than that of men, Droupadi Murmu, India’s president, said on Tuesday, noting the success of the government’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme.
In his inaugural address to the joint session of Parliament on the first day of the budget session, Murmu said, “Whether it is Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan or Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, we have managed to save the lives of the mother and child. About 50 percent of the beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat scheme are also women,” the president said.
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign was launched by the Prime Minister on January 22, 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. It addresses the decline in the child sex ratio (CSR) and issues related to the empowerment of women throughout a continuous life cycle. It is a tri-ministerial effort of the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Human Resources Development.
He said that the government has made sure that there are no restrictions for women in any job, in any field of work.
“Girls have made their presence felt in the mining and military sectors, and the recruitment of women has been allowed in all sectors. Our girls are now seeking education and training at Sainik schools and military training schools,” Murmu said.
In addition, the government also extended the length of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, the president said.
“From education to career, my government is trying to remove all obstacles for daughters. Through efforts such as the construction of separate toilets for girls in the country’s public schools or the plan related to sanitary napkins, the dropout rate of girls has been drastically reduced. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has not only increased the dignity of women but also provided them with a safe environment. For the first time, Daughters Crores Brighter Future Savings Accounts have been opened across the country under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. Many important steps have also been taken for girls’ education in the new National Education Policy,” the President stated.