Several women organisations today wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister demanding immediate implementation of National Food Security Act, under which the Central Scheme for Maternity Entitlements would extend its outreach to at least 200 high priority districts.
On the occasion of International Women's Day today, they also demanded that maternity entitlements in all sectors must be universal and unconditional and not linked to the number of children or age of the woman.
"Supplementary nutrition through locally prepared foods -- preferably hot cooked meals -- be supplied to all pregnant and lactating women at anganwadi centres. The public distribution system must provide universal access to 10 kg of cereals, one kg each of pulses and oil under NFSA," the letter said.
It also sought "progressive realisation of nine months of maternity leave -- three months before childbirth to six months after -- with full compensation of wages for all women, calculated at least according to minimum wages at prevalent rates."
"The revised Maternity Benefits Act (1961) recognises women's work and guarantee maternity entitlements to all pregnant women, adoptive parent(s), surrogate mothers without discrimination," they said.
The letter was signed by National Alliance For Maternal Health And Human Rights (NAMHHR), Working Group for Children Under Six, Right to Food Campaign, India and Alliance for Right to Early Childhood Development.
