"Anganwadi network key to Govt's women-led development": Union minister Annapurna Devi
New Delhi, July 12
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Sunday highlighted the government's focus on women-led development, child nutrition and creating a safe environment for women and children through various initiatives of the Ministry.
Speaking to ANI, the minister said the Ministry of Women and Child Development plays a crucial role under the federal system and works towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women-led development and a developed India.
She said that "under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, around 1.4 million Anganwadi centres are operational, catering to nearly 90 million beneficiaries. For children between the ages of three and six years, our focus is not only on providing nutrition but also on preparing them for school. "
The minister stated that the Anganwadi network also provides Take-Home Ration (THR) and awareness programmes for pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls, focusing on nutrition and health.
Highlighting the importance of awareness campaigns, she said two major programmes, Poshan Maah (Nutrition Month) and Poshan Pakhwada (Nutrition Fortnight), are organised every year with a "Whole-of-Government" and "Whole-of-Society" approach.
"These are theme-based programmes with large participation, focusing on promoting millets, local foods, cleanliness, tackling obesity and addressing various nutrition-related issues," the Minister said.
She also added that the ministry is working under three major missions- Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya- to strengthen services for women and children.
Emphasising the importance of early childhood development, the Minister said scientific studies indicate that around 85 per cent of a child's brain development takes place during the first 1,000 days.
"Therefore, our Anganwadi workers conduct field visits to meet pregnant women and lactating mothers. They guide families on childcare, nutrition and ways to support the child's development," the Minister said.
The Minister also highlighted the role of technology in improving service delivery through the Poshan Tracker digital platform, which enables Anganwadi workers to access educational material and spread awareness among families.
"Through Poshan Tracker, we can create short videos and reels for Anganwadi workers, helping them educate families about children's activities and developmental milestones," the Minister said.
On measures to ensure women's safety, the Minister said the government has introduced the SHe-Box portal under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act to provide support to women facing harassment at workplaces.
"The Ministry firmly believes that only when women are safe can they perform their work effectively. The She-Box portal is available for women who face issues at the workplace," the Minister said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good intentions but the execution is where it matters most. I volunteer at an Anganwadi in rural UP and the ground reality is stark - workers are overworked, underpaid (around ₹10,000 per month), and often use their own money for supplies. The Take-Home Ration quality is inconsistent. Before celebrating the 'Whole-of-Society' approach, we need to fix the fundamentals. Let's not just make anganwadis 'Saksham' on paper but actually empower them with resources and respect for the workers. They're the real heroes.
It's heartening to see the government acknowledge the critical role of early childhood development. The 85% brain development stat is powerful - this is exactly the science-based approach we need. But I'd like to see more concrete numbers on how many children have actually been prepared for school through this program. Also, the SHe-Box portal for workplace harassment is a good step, but awareness about it is still very low in smaller towns. Hope the ministry invests in grassroots-level publicity too.
As a mother of a 4-year-old who attends an Anganwadi in our colony, I can personally vouch for the difference this network makes. My daughter gets nutritious meals, learns through play, and the worker ji even taught me about complementary feeding during pregnancy. But please, the government must also address the issue of Anganwadi workers' salaries - they deserve at least minimum wage for the crucial work they do. They're literally building our nation's foundation!
I appreciate the focus on women-led development but we need to move beyond schemes and campaigns. Poshan Maah and Pakhwada are great for awareness, but what about year-round accountability? I've seen health workers in my district struggling with the Poshan Tra
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