Gross enrolment ratio of girls rose by 11%, says Union Minister

Flagship initiatives of Centre have helped achieve this, says Mahendra Munjapara

The gross enrolment ratio (GER) of girls in schools has seen a substantial increase across the country post the implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programme ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’, Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Women and Child Development Mahendra Munjapara said.

He was addressing a zonal meeting on ‘Aspirational Districts and Impact on Women and Children’ on Thursday.

Mr. Munjapara said that the GER has gone up by 11%. Speaking on the initiatives taken to enhance safety of women at public places, he said that 780 one-stop centres have been set up across the country which have extended assistance to over 5.20 lakh women.

He added that around 70 lakhs calls were addressed for women in distress through the women helpline centres.

Highlighting women empowerment, he said that 68% of the Mudra accounts are in the names of women, which is testament to the government’s commitment towards women empowerment.

“The Nirbhaya Fund constituted by the Centre has supported 34 new projects and schemes with targeted interventions taking the total amount to nearly ₹10,000 crore. The purpose of the fund is to enhance protection and security and make the public spaces safer for women,” he said.

“There are over 12 lakh pucca Anganwadi centres across the country having drinking water facilities and over 11 lakh centres having functional toilets. The aim is to strengthen infrastructure in all remaining Anganwadis,” he said.