Odisha’s Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Initiatives

February 8, 2025

The “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (BBBP) scheme was launched in India to combat gender imbalance and improve the child sex ratio. Odisha has implemented several initiatives under this scheme to empower girls and prevent child marriage. These initiatives focus on awareness, education, and self-defence training for adolescent girls.

About BBBP Scheme

The BBBP scheme aims to promote the survival, protection, and education of the girl child.
Launched on 22nd January 2015, it addresses social issues like female foeticide and child marriage.
The scheme encourages community participation and government support to create a safer environment for girls.

Nirbhaya Kadhi and Mo Gelha Jhia in Ganjam

In Ganjam district, the “Nirbhaya Kadhi” initiative targets adolescent girls aged 11-18. It promotes awareness and empowers girls to reject child marriage.
The “Mo Gelha Jhia” programme complements this by focusing on combatting sex selection.
As of January 2022, Ganjam was declared child marriage-free, with reductions in child marriages through community engagement and awareness campaigns.

Kalpana Avijan in Dhenkanal

The “Kalpana Avijan” scheme in Dhenkanal monitors adolescent girls aged 10-19.
It prevents child marriage through local committees and awareness programs.
Between 2019 and 2024, this initiative successfully prevented 343 child marriages.
The scheme engages schools and communities, encouraging public declarations against child marriage.

Swarna Kalika in Keonjhar

The “Swarna Kalika” initiative raises awareness about the negative impacts of child marriage.
It involves over 2,000 stakeholders in campaigns that promote education and community involvement.
As a result, child marriages in Keonjhar district have decreased by 50% through sustained awareness efforts and the use of the ADVIKA app for intervention.

Veerangana in Deogarh

The “Veerangana” scheme focuses on self-defence training for girls in Deogarh.
It aims to boost confidence and self-esteem through martial arts.
A 30-day training camp trained over 500 adolescents and educated parents on girls’ legal rights.
This initiative has been widely praised and institutionalised in local schools, reaching around 6,000 students.

Impact and Recognition

These initiatives have impacted the lives of girls in Odisha. They have raised awareness about child rights and gender equality. The efforts have garnered recognition from various organisations and have set a precedent for similar programmes across India.

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