Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context
Through a range of initiatives, the Government of India provides incentives and encouragement to Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers.
Introduction
“Anganwadi,” a term that translates to “courtyard shelter” in English, refers to a pivotal part of India’s public healthcare system. Established in 1975 as a part of the Integrated Child Development Services program, Anganwadi Services is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by States/UTs across India. The primary beneficiaries of this scheme are children in the 0-6 age group, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The initiative was launched to combat child hunger and malnutrition, providing basic healthcare facilities in Indian villages. Anganwadi centres serve as hubs for a range of healthcare activities, including contraceptive counselling and supply, nutrition education and supplementation, and pre-school activities. Additionally, these centres may function as depots for oral rehydration salts, basic medicines, contraceptives, and child care.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- A major national program that addresses the needs of children under the age of six years. It provides an integrated package of services such as supplementary nutrition, health care, and pre-school education.
- Extension to Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women, and Nursing Mothers: The program also extends to adolescent girls, pregnant women and nursing mothers, recognizing that a child’s health and nutrition needs cannot be addressed in isolation from those of his or her mother.
- Anganwadi Centre: The scheme primarily runs through the Anganwadi centre and is under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Centrally-Sponsored Services: Integrated Child Development Services is Centrally-Sponsored and provides the following six services to the beneficiaries:
- Supplementary Nutrition (SNP)
- Health & Nutrition Check-Up
- Immunization
- Non-Formal Education for Children in Pre-School
- Health and Nutrition Education
- Referral services
Key components of Anganwadi services
- Nutrition Services: Provision of supplementary nutrition to children below six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, including nutritious meals, take-home rations, and other nutritional support.
- Health Check-ups: Regular health check-ups for children and mothers to monitor their health and growth. Immunization services are also often provided at Anganwadi Centres.
- Pre-school Education: Early childhood care and education activities to promote the overall development of children, including cognitive, social, and emotional development.
- Health and Nutrition Education: Awareness programs on health, hygiene, and nutrition for mothers and caregivers to improve their understanding of essential health practices.
- Referral Services: Identification and referral of children and mothers in need of specialized medical care or support services to appropriate healthcare facilities.
- Community Mobilization: Engagement with the local community to create awareness about health, nutrition, and early childhood development. Anganwadi Workers play a crucial role in fostering community participation.
- Pregnant and Lactating Women Support: Support and counseling for pregnant and lactating women to ensure proper care during these critical periods.
- Services for Adolescent Girls: Programs targeting the nutritional and health needs of adolescent girls, including awareness about menstrual hygiene.
- Record Keeping: Maintenance of records related to the health and development of children and mothers attending the Anganwadi Centres.
Steps taken by the government to encourage Anganwadi workers and helpers
- Social Security Insurance Schemes: Insurance benefits under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) have been extended to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, covering life risk, death due to any reason, accidental death, and permanent disability.
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Anganwadi Workers and Helpers engaged in Covid-19 related tasks are provided an insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh.
- Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM): States and UT Administrations are encouraged to enroll eligible Anganwadi Workers and Helpers under this voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
- Ayushman Bharat Coverage: In the interim budget for 2024-25, the coverage of Ayushman Bharat has been expanded to include all Anganwadi Workers and Helpers across the country, providing health coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary medical care.
- Promotional Prospects: 50% of Anganwadi Workers positions will be filled by promoting Anganwadi Helpers with 5 years of experience, and 50% supervisor positions will be filled by promoting Anganwadi Workers with 5 years of experience.
- Leave Policies: Anganwadi Workers are now entitled to a paid maternity leave of 180 days, paid leave for abortion/miscarriage for 45 days, and 20 days of annual leave.
- Uniform Provision: A provision has been made for a set of two uniforms (saree/suit per annum) for Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers.
- Leverage IT through Poshan Tracker: IT systems are utilized to enhance transparency and delivery support systems at Anganwadi Centres. Anganwadi Workers have been provided with smartphones to facilitate the digitization and automation of their work. Poshan Tracker is a mobile-based application rolled out in 2021 through National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
- Upgradation of Mini AWCs: Mini-Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) have been upgraded to regular AWCs, leading to an increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi Workers from existing mini AWCs to Rs. 4,500 per month.
- Uniform Retirement Date: States and UTs have been urged to adopt a uniform retirement date of April 30th each year for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers for proper human resource planning.
Issues and Challenges
- Meagre Remuneration: Anganwadi workers are not recognized as government employees and their monthly honorarium, often between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000, is significantly lower than the minimum wage in many states. This, along with common delays in receiving their honorarium, adds to their financial insecurity and hardship.
- Overburdened with Work and Responsibilities: Anganwadi workers are entrusted with a multitude of tasks, including additional work like Covid-19 related duties, Census duties, or implementation of government schemes like Ayushman Bharat without any additional monetary benefits. This extensive workload often leads to burnout and hinders the quality of services they can provide.
- Lack of Proper Training and Resources: While Anganwadi workers undergo initial training, it often falls short of adequately equipping them to handle the complex tasks they face daily. Additionally, Anganwadi centres frequently lack essential resources like proper infrastructure, teaching materials, and medicines.
- Lack of Social Recognition and Respect: Anganwadi workers often face societal stigma and a lack of recognition for their valuable contribution to the community. This lack of respect can negatively impact their morale and motivation.
Way Forward
- Elevated Compensation and Benefits: Fair and timely salary revisions aligned with the cost of living, along with robust social security packages including health insurance, provident fund, and maternity leave.
- Professional Growth and Recognition: Dedicated career progression pathways with promotion opportunities, regular, intensive training programs in child development, health, nutrition, and early childhood education, and formalized qualifications and certifications acknowledging their expertise.
- Enhanced Working Conditions and Resources: Optimal staffing levels with additional Anganwadi helpers to reduce workload, modernised Anganwadi centers with improved infrastructure, equipment, and learning materials, and tech-enabled solutions for efficient record-keeping, monitoring, and communication.
Conclusion
Anganwadis, part of India’s Integrated Child Development Services program, play a crucial role in child development and women empowerment, especially in rural areas. They provide essential services like health checkups, nutrition education, and pre-school activities. However, there are challenges such as lack of facilities and poor knowledge among Anganwadi workers. To maximize their potential, it’s important to ensure adequate budgetary allocations, strong community monitoring, and public-private partnerships. Regular training and supportive supervision of Anganwadi workers are also recommended.
Source: PIB
Practice Question
Discuss the role of Anganwadi services and workers in the context of India’s Integrated Child Development Services program. Evaluate the challenges faced by Anganwadi workers and suggest measures to enhance the effectiveness of these services. Substantiate your answer with relevant examples. [250 words]