Ministry of Women and Child Development

Brief History

The Department of Women and Child Development was set up in the year 1985 as a part of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to give the much needed impetus to the holistic development of women and children. With effect from 30.01.2006, the Department has been upgraded to a Ministry.The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in India is a government body tasked with the formulation and implementation of policies and programs for the welfare and empowerment of women and children. Here’s an overview of the Ministry’s role, functions, and initiatives:

Role and Mandate

The MWCD is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and programs aimed at promoting the welfare, development, and empowerment of women and children in India.
It works towards ensuring gender equality, protection of women’s rights, and the overall well-being of children through various initiatives and schemes.

List of Mandates allotted to the Ministry

Welfare of the family.
Women and Child Welfare and Coordination of activities of other Ministries and Organisation in connection with this subject.
References from the United Nations Organizations relating to traffic in Women and Children Care of pre-school children including pre-primary education National Nutrition Policy, national Plan of Action for Nutrition and National Nutrition Mission.
Charitable and religious endowments pertaining to subjects allocated to this Department Promotion and development of voluntary effort on the subjects allocated to this Department
Implementation of
- Immoral Traffic in Women and Girl Act. 1956 (as amended upto 1986).
- The Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act, 1986 (60 of 1986).
- The Dowry Prohibition Act. 1961 (28 of 1961)
- The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 (3 of 1988), excluding the administration of criminal justice in regard to offences under these Acts.
- The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Food (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992 (41 of 1992).
Coordination of activities of Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)
Planning, Research, Evaluation, Monitoring, Project Formulations, Statistics and Training relating to the welfare and development of women and children, including development of gender sensitive data base.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB)
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD)
Food and Nutrition Board Food and Nutrition Board (FNB)
Development and popularization of subsidiary and protective foods.

Functions

Formulating and implementing policies and programs related to women’s empowerment, gender equality, and child development. Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of schemes and initiatives aimed at women and children.
Coordinating with other government departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and stakeholders to address issues related to women and children.
Providing financial assistance and support to organizations working for the welfare of women and children. Conducting research, studies, and surveys to gather data on issues affecting women and children and using this information to develop targeted interventions.

Key Initiatives and Schemes

Anganwadi Services: Under Anganwadi Services, a package of six services is provided to Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers and to Children under the age of 6 years. These services are:
- Supplementary Nutrition (SNP)
- Pre-school Non-formal Education
- Nutrition & Health Education
- Immunization
- Health Check-up, and
- Referral Services.
- Three of the six services, viz., Immunization, Health check-up and Referral Services are related to health and are provided through NRHM & Public Health Infrastructure.
POSHAN Abhiyaan: POSHAN Abhiyaan, launched on 8th March, 2018 aims to address malnutrition issues across the nation through components like ICT Application, Convergence, Community Mobilization, Behavioural Change & Jan Andolan, Capacity Building, Incentives and Awards, and Innovations.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): It is a Centrally Sponsored Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme, for implementation across the country with effect from 01.01.2017. The maternity benefit under PMMVY is available to all Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), excluding PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force, for first living child of family. Under the scheme Rs.5,000/- are provided to the eligible beneficiary in three installments during pregnancy and lactation in response to individual fulfilling certain nutrition and health seeking conditions. The eligible beneficiary also receives the remaining cash incentive as per approved norms towards maternity benefit under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after institutional delivery so that on an average, a woman gets Rs.6,000/-.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Campaign: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme was launched on 22nd January 2015 with an aim to address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of empowerment of girls and women over a life cycle continuum. The objective of the scheme are, to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, to ensure survival and protection of the girl child and to ensure education and participation of the girl child. The key elements of the scheme include nation-wide media and advocacy campaign and multi-sectoral intervention in selected districts.
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK):The Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme was approved in November, 2017 as a centrally sponsored scheme to empower rural women through community participation. The aims to facilitate inter-sectoral convergence of schemes and programs meant for women. The scheme is implemented through State Governments and UT Administrations with a cost sharing ratio of 60:40 between Centre and States except for North East & Special Category States where the funding ratio is 90:10. For Union Territories 100% central funding is provided.
Working Women Hostel: Working Women Hostel Scheme is implemented by the Government with the objective to provide safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women, with day care facility for their children, wherever possible, in urban, semi urban, or even rural areas where employment opportunity for women exist.
Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG): is a Centrally-sponsored scheme which aims at providing nutritional support to out of school girls in the age group of 11-14 years for improving their health and nutritional status under the nutrition component on one hand and motivates them to go back to formal schooling, provides life skill training, accessing public services etc. under non-nutrition component on the other hand.
Swadhar Greh Scheme: The Swadhar Greh Scheme is is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for women who are victims of difficult circumstances in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity.
National Creche Scheme for the children of working mothers: Ministry of Women and Child Development implements the National Crèche Scheme for the children of working mothers as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/ UTs with effect from 01.01.2017 to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers. For effective implementation and improved delivery, presently in the XVth Finance Commission Cycle, the aforementioned schemes of the Ministry have been clubbed together into three verticals viz. Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya. The Scheme provides an integrated package of the following services:
- Day care facilities including sleeping facilities.
- Early stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school education for 3 to 6 years old children
- Supplementary nutrition (to be locally sourced)
- Growth monitoring
- Health check-up and immunization
National Commission for Women (NCW): A statutory body under the MWCD responsible for safeguarding and promoting the rights of women.

Outreach and Awareness Programs

The MWCD conducts various awareness and outreach programs to educate communities about issues such as gender equality, women’s rights, child protection, and nutrition. These programs aim to mobilize public support, change societal attitudes, and promote positive behavioral change towards women and children.

One Stop Centre (OSC) and Universalization of Women Helplines(WHL): Women Welfare Division is administering two schemes from Nirbhaya Fund namely One Stop Centre and Universalization of Women Helplines. The One Stop Centres (OSCs), popularly known as Sakhi Centres, aim to facilitate women affected by violence (including domestic violence) with a range of integrated services under one roof such as Police facilitation, medical aid, providing legal aid and legal counselling, psycho-social counselling, temporary shelter etc. The Women Helpline (WHL) Scheme provides 24 hours emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence, both in public and private spaces by linking them with appropriate authority such as Police, One Stop Centre, Hospital, Legal Services etc. WHL also supports women in distress with rescue van and counselling services in addition to providing information about women welfare schemes and programs across the country. Women can dial 181 short code to avail services from Women Helpline.

Overall, the Ministry of Women and Child Development plays a crucial role in advancing the rights and well-being of women and children in India through its policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at empowerment, protection, and development.