A decade under Modi: Sex ratio improves, crimes against women rise

A quick look at how the Modi government fared on creating more opportunities for Indian women.

Feb 23, 2024 - 03:00

A decade under Modi: Sex ratio improves, crimes against women rise

In its 2014 manifesto, the Bharatiya Janata Party stated that women are “nation builders” and that the party is “committed to give a high priority to Women’s Empowerment and welfare”.

Safety and education for girls

In January 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign called Beti Bachao Beti Padhao – save the daughter, educate the daughter.

One of the aims of the programme was improving India’s child sex ratio. In 2014-’15, among newborns, India had 918 girls for every 1,000 boys. By 2022-’23, this had risen to 933 girls for 1,000 boys.

On the educational front, girls enrollment in secondary education saw a rise from 75.51% in 2014-’15 to 77.83% in 2019-’20.

However, experts say the campaign’s progress has not been consistent across districts. They have pointed to gaps in budgetary planning and monitoring and criticised the disproportionate use of funds in media campaigns.

Between 2014 and 2021, 58% of funds for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign were spent on media advocacy.

Healthcare

The BJP’s 2014 manifesto said the government will work in “mission mode” to improve women’s healthcare, with a special focus on “nutrition and pregnancy”.

The 2019 manifesto promised “good quality, easily accessible and affordable maternal healthcare services for all women” through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana...