Strengthening Women’s and Children’s Welfare in India
The Ministry of Women and Child Development held a significant meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee in New Delhi today. The focus of this meeting was “Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.” This initiative aims to enhance the nutritional status and overall development of women and children across India. Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, chaired the meeting, which included participation from various Members of Parliament from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The discussions centered on the implementation and impact of key welfare schemes designed to uplift women and children in the country.
Overview of Key Initiatives
During the meeting, Smt. Annpurna Devi provided an overview of several important schemes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. These include Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti, and Mission Vatsalya. Each of these initiatives plays a crucial role in improving the lives of women and children in India.
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 focuses on enhancing the nutritional status of children and mothers. It aims to provide comprehensive services, including supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, and health check-ups. The mission targets approximately 10.12 crore beneficiaries, including children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Mission Shakti aims to empower women at all stages of life. It includes programs for protection and support, such as One Stop Centres for women in distress and the Women Helpline. Meanwhile, Mission Vatsalya focuses on the welfare and holistic development of children, particularly those in challenging circumstances. This mission integrates various child protection services to ensure the safety and constructive growth of children.
Implementation and Feedback
The meeting also featured insights from Shri Anil Malik, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, who provided a detailed overview of the schemes. Shri Gyanesh Bharti, Additional Secretary, presented key data and findings related to the initiatives. Members of Parliament actively participated, offering suggestions for the effective implementation of these schemes.
Smt. Annpurna Devi expressed her gratitude for the valuable contributions made by the participants. She emphasized the importance of incorporating their suggestions into the operational framework of the ministry. Furthermore, she urged MPs to engage with their constituents, raising awareness about these initiatives and gathering feedback on the ground. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the welfare programs effectively meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Current Progress and Future Directions
Under Mission Poshan 2.0, significant strides have been made to strengthen and upgrade Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). The goal is to transform two lakh AWCs into Saksham Anganwadis, enhancing the delivery of nutrition and early childhood education. As of September 30, 2024, over 11,000 Saksham Anganwadis have been inaugurated, providing improved services to children under six years of age.
Additionally, the ministry has sanctioned 2,139 Anganwadi centres specifically for the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Out of these, 780 centres are operational, catering to approximately 22,845 beneficiaries. The mission also emphasizes governance through community engagement, with over 100 crore Jan Andolan activities conducted since 2018.
The introduction of the Poshan Tracker application marks a significant advancement in monitoring nutritional indicators. This tool allows for real-time tracking of Anganwadi services and beneficiaries, ensuring timely interventions for malnutrition and related issues.
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