Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Laws And Acts In India Towards Girls Empowerment

Abstract

The World is evolving at a breakneck speed. Women all throughout the world are defying preconceptions and accomplishing incredible things. On the 22^nd of January 2015, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme was introduced to address issues about gender discrimination and women empowerment in the country. In general, women account for almost half of India’s entire population. A country is considered honoured only when its women are honoured. In our country laws have been made without discrimination against women. As a result women can enjoy high position in the society. But the actual status of women is far below than men and ground reality is something different. Domestic violence, Female infanticide and foeticide, child abuse, torturing, bride burning, dowry violence, marital rape, sexual assault etc., still poses great challenges and obstructs the path of empowering the women. Women’s rights must be protected and opportunities to attain their full potential must be provided, not just for women empowerment but for national and international development. The present paper will discuss about the gender inequalities and stereotypes faced by women in India alongwith the laws and acts framed for empowering women. Further the paper will talk about the initiatives led by Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme for protecting the girl child and promoting women’s empowerment in order to improve their status in the country.