21-Dec-2022: Government is setting up Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) at National, State and District levels under ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme of ‘Mission Shakti”
The Government has initiated a number of schematic and legislative interventions over the past few years for educational, social, economic and political empowerment of women. These have resulted in improving the status of women on many counts. However, recognising the need for a single window system for inter- sectoral convergence of schemes and programs meant for women, the Government is setting up Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) at National, State and District levels under ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme of ‘Mission Shakti, an Umbrella Scheme for safety, security and empowerment of women. The Hubs aim to facilitate women’s access to various institutional and schematic set ups for information dissemination and availing services pertaining to healthcare, quality education, career and vocational counseling/ training, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, backward and forward linkages, health and safety for workers, social security and digital literacy etc.
Under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a total 1411 Gender Resource Centers (GRC) have been formed in 13 States of the country till date. The GRCs are called by different names in many States such as 'Lok Adhikar Kendra in Madhya Pradesh', 'Sangini Kendra in Chhattisgarh' and 'Pragya Kendra in Odisha'. Based on the level of preparation and their respective gender operational strategies, different States have different plans and models of GRCs.
GRCs are run and managed by Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) or by Block Level Federations (BLFs), as per the local context. GRC is the apex institutional structure in the institutional mechanism to address gender issues under DAY-NRLM. The cases related to rights and entitlements and gender-based violence of Self Help Group (SHG) members are escalated to GRC by Self Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs) or Cluster Level Federation (CLF) based on the merit of cases. GRC refers the cases, if need be, to different public service points such as One Stop Centers, Police, District Legal Service Authorities etc.
14-Dec-2022: Update on National Creche Scheme
Under the newly approved Mission Shakti, the National Creche Scheme has been revised and subsumed as Palna scheme to provide day-care facilities for children (6 months to 6 years) of working mothers and to improve nutrition and health status of children.
Total budget allocation for the National Creche Scheme for Financial Year 2020-21 was Rs. 75 Crore and for FY 2021-22 was Rs. 53 Crore to all States/UTs.
27-Jul-2022: Status of Creches
Many States/UTs have informed that the creches shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic have either been re-opened or are in the process of re-opening on need basis. As per National Crèche Scheme guidelines, decision for running and continuation of operations of crèches is taken by State Governments and UT Administrations on the basis of verification and inspections got done by them.
As reported by many States/UTs, the assistance in the shape of honorarium has been provided to those who were serving in the crèches during the entire period of shut down as per norms.
Government of India has issued guidelines of 'Mission Shakti' - an integrated women empowerment programme, as umbrella scheme for the safety, security and empowerment of women. 'Palna' or National Creche Scheme is a component under 'Samarthya' sub-scheme of 'Mission Shakti'. The objective of Palna is to address the need for quality crèche care facilities for the children of working mothers in the age-group of 6 months to 6 years by providing safe and secure environment ensuring nutritional and cognitive development of the children. It envisages providing crèche facility to all mothers, irrespective of their employment status.
9-Feb-2022: National Creche Schemes
The number of functional crèches under the ‘National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers’ in the country during the last three years is as under:
|
During the Year |
Number of Creches |
|
2017-18 |
18040 |
|
2018-19 |
8018 |
|
2019-20 |
6458 |
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 requires every establishment having fifty or more employees to have the facility of crèche within a prescribed distance. The State Governments, who are the appropriate Government under the Maternity Benefit Act for establishments other than mines and circus, are required to frame rules for the purposes of the Act, including inter alia for prescribing amenities and facilities required to be provided in such crèches, in light of which the Ministry of Labour and Employment has already requested all the State Governments on 17.11.2017. In addition, Ministry of Women and Child Development has also issued directions/guidelines, from time to time, to the States and Union Territories on various aspects including inter alia for creating awareness among the communities about the prescribed amenities and facilities to be provided in Creches.
In this regard, a communication dated 02.11.2018 enclosing the National Minimum Guidelines for setting up and running crèches under Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 was issued to the Ministries/Departments, States & UTs, advising the requisite know how to set up model crèches facilities with adequate provisions, measures to be taken to create awareness about the Creche facilities among the communities and to promote willingness among working mothers to avail such facilities. Further, a letter dated 04.05.2021 was issued to States/UTs to ensure availability of crèche facilities, and to allow concerned women four visits a day to crèche and interval for rest in accordance with the legal provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act. No data in respect of firms employing more than fifty employees and where crèche is established is maintained centrally.
Decision for running and continuation of operations of crèches is taken by State Governments and UT Administrations on the basis of verification and inspections got done by them. The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India releases fund to States and UTs on receipt of proposals supported with necessary documentation and information from them.
The steps taken by Government for proper implementation of the ‘National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers’ include monitoring through inspections of crèches, verification of their operations, and follow ups through meetings, video conferences and discussions with the concerned officials of States and UTs.
14-Dec-2022: An amount of Rs. 579.20 crore allocated under ECCE/Pre-School Kit for five years period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
Pre-school Kit/ECCE is one of the sub-components of Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. An amount of Rs. 579.20 crore has been allocated under ECCE/Pre-School Kit for five years period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
As on 30th June, 2022, 3.03 crore children in the age group of 3-6 years have access to Early Childhood Children Education (ECCE) through Anganwadi Centres. The Scheme Guidelines on `Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0', covers the above requirements for pre-school learning to make all preschoolers at Anganwadi Centres, school ready.
To promote play based, experiential and child friendly approach to development, a National Curricular Framework for ECCE was developed by Government to support the holistic development of children for Sensory and Perceptual Development; Physical, Health and Motor Development; Language Development; Cognitive Development; Development of Creative and Aesthetic Appreciation and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. At a national level, a series of sample activity books were developed to support the above domains, separately for ages 3 to 4, 4 to 5 and 5 to 6. Anganwadis are also provided with Pre-School Education Learning Kits to support children’s development. The ECCE Policy also recommends promotion of the use of traditional songs, stories, lullabies, folk tales, local toys and games as play and learning material in ECCE settings. Assessment cards were developed for Anganwadi workers for formative and continuous assessment of children’s progress on a quarterly basis with separate cards for children in each age group.
Under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, for universal access to ECCE, there is provision to roll-out ECCE in all the AWCs, with strengthening of Anganwadi Centres, high-quality infrastructure, play equipment and well trained Anganwadi Workers for an enriched learning environment. An Expert Committee set up by the Ministry to recommend age appropriate curriculum for children in the age group of 3-6 years, has submitted its report. The focus of the curriculum is on early stimulation (0-3 years) and early childhood care and education ECCE (3-6 years).