The Ministry of Women and Child Development has not only been introducing new schemes and programmes but also from time to time revamping and restructuring its existing schemes by extending their scope and coverage for the welfare and development of women and children as per needs and for attaining gender equality.
The Ministry introduced following major comprehensive schemes:
(i) Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) – SABLA, India (2010) – is being implemented in 205 selected districts across the country. Sabla has replaced the Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) and Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) in the sabla districts for empowering adolescent girls. In the non-sabla districts, KSY continues as before. The integrated package of services being provided to Adolescent Girls (AGs) under SABLA.
(ii) Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) (Oct., 2010) – A conditional Cash Transfer Scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers to contribute to better enabling environment by providing cash incentives for improved health and nutrition.
(iii) Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) (2009-2010) – brings child protection programmes like (a) A Programme for Juvenile Justice, (b) An Integrated Programme for Street Children and (c) Scheme for Assistance to Homes (Shishu Greh) under one umbrella through incorporation of new initiatives such as service dedicated service delivery structures at State and district levels, child tracking system, sponsorship, foster care etc. and with improved norms.
(iv) National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) (March, 2010) for holistic empowerment of women by securing convergence of schemes / programmes of different Ministries / Departments of Central Government as well as State Governments. A number of thematic convergence projects on various issues affecting women including declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR), Access to Rights, Access to Sustainable livelihoods etc.
(v) National Nutrition Mission : Multi Sectoral Nutrition Programmeto address the Maternal and Child under nutrition in 200 High Burden Districts and aNationwide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign launched in November, 2012
(vi) Ujjawala (Dec., 2007) – for combating trafficking of women.
In order to address various programmatic, management and institutional gaps and to meet administrative and operational challenges, Government approved the proposal for Strengthening and Restructuring of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme with an over-all budget allocation of Rs. 1,23,580 crore during 12th Five Year Plan. The Administrative Approvals in this regard have been issued to the States/UTs.
The scope and coverage in respect of other programmes like Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme, Support to Training and Employment (STEP), SWADHAR Greh, Working Women’s Hostel, etc. have also been extended.
The details of the strengthened and restructured ICDS along with other schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development are given in the Annual Report (2012-13) of the Ministry, which are available in the Library of Rajya Sabha Secretariat. These are also available on the Ministries website www.wcd.nic.in
The initiatives and interventions taken through the schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development has also helped in narrowing gaps between men and women in social indicators such as Infant Mortality Rate, Nutrition related indicators, Literacy Rates and improvement in Sex Ratio etc.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
