Ministry of Women and Child Development To Hold Zonal Conferences with States/UTs

Newdelhi:1.04.22:Empowerment and protection of women and children who constitute 67.7% of India’s population and ensuring their wholesome development in a safe and secure environment are crucial for the sustainable and equitable development of the country and for achieving transformational economic and social changes.

The prime objective of the Ministry of Women and Child Development is to address gaps in State action for women and children and promote inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral convergence to create gender equitable and child-centered legislation, policies, and programmes and to provide women and children with an environment that is accessible, affordable, reliable and free from all forms of discrimination and violence.  In this direction, the objectives under the schemes of the Ministry are sought to be achieved with the support of State Governments and UT Administrations which are responsible for the administration of the schemes on the ground. To achieve the above objectives, Cabinet has approved 3 important Umbrella Schemes of the Ministry to be implemented in mission mode, viz., Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya. All 3 Missions will be implemented during the 15^th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The Ministry will be holding Zonal Conferences with States/UTs in Chandigarh (2^nd April), Bengaluru (4^th April), Guwahati (10^th April), Mumbai (12^th April), and Bhubaneswar (13^th April). The objective of the Zonal Conferences is to sensitise State Governments/UT Administrations on the 3 Umbrella Missions of the Ministry to facilitate proper implementation of the Schemes over the next 5 years in the true spirit of co-operative federalism to ensure that the transformational social changes envisaged under the Missions are accomplished for the benefit of women and children of the country.

Mission POSHAN 2.0 is an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme. It seeks to address the challenges of malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery and by creation of a convergent eco-system to develop and promote practices that nurture health, wellness, and immunity. Poshan 2.0 will seek to optimize the quality and delivery of food under the Supplementary Nutrition Program.  Poshan 2.0 will bring 3 important programs/schemes under its ambit, viz., Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and Poshan Abhiyaan.