Page 2 - Ministry Of Women And Child Development

Sex Ratio at Birth declined in 20 states, UTs from 2021-22 to 2022-23: WCD

Twenty states and Union Territories reported a decline in Sex Ratio at Birth between 2021-22 and 2022-23, the Women and Child Development ministry said on Friday. Responding to a query in Lok Sabha, WCD Minister Smriti Irani gave data of sex ratio at birth in 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, and West Bengal were among those which registered a decline in sex ratio in the one-year period, she said. Sex ratio at birth is the number of male live births for every 100 female live births.

Review cases of older children who could be made free for adoption: Irani

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani asked the child welfare committees on Sunday to visit child-care homes and review the cases of older children who could be made free for adoption as soon as possible. Many children living in child-care homes are not legally free for adoption. According to official figures, there are around 66,000 children residing child-care homes across the country and less than 3,000 of them are legally free for adoption. Speaking at a regional symposium on "Child Protection, Safety and Child Welfare" that was attended by child welfare committee members and officials from child-care institutions among others, Irani asked the CWCs to visit the child-care homes and review the cases of older children who could be made free for adoption at the earliest. Irani said the women and child development ministry has already reviewed two states, looked into 9,000 cases of older children and identified 164 such children who could be made legally free for ...

3,410 inspections of child-care homes carried out through govt's MASI app

About 3,410 inspections of child-care homes have so far been carried out across the country through the government's MASI (Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection) since its launch in 2021, officials said on Monday. The portal was launched in January 2021 with the first inspection in Chennai but then, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the inspections could not be carried out, a senior official said, adding that they were resumed again after the curbs were lifted. Explaining the functioning of the MASI portal, a senior official at the women and child development ministry said there was a need for a monitoring mechanism for the child-care institutions in the country and hence, the app was developed. "Through this, the children's home database has been synced with an app and the authorities in districts or child welfare committee (CWC) members are on this app.... They can choose a child home randomly on the system to ensure that the inspection of child-care homes is carried out periodically

Smriti Irani launches 'Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi' scheme to strengthen EECE

The Mnistry's event was attended by over 800 Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) functionaries from different states and was chaired by Smriti Irani

Parl panel slams govt over lack of basic amenities in Anganwadi centres

Govt has been under fire from key Parliamentary committee for paying Anganwadi workers, helpers inadequate salary and has been urged to increase the pay in a way that is appropriate with their labour

Delhi government presents outcome budget; here are some key takeaways

A majority of schemes under the Women and Child Development Department are on track, according to the Delhi government's Outcome Budget for 2022-23 presented in the Assembly on Monday. Out of 63 indicators for assessment, 71 per cent were on track, it said, adding that last year, out of 69 indicators for assessment, 80 per cent were on track. About 3.47 lakh women in distress was given monthly financial assistance in 2022-23 against 3.12 lakh women in distress in 2021-22, it said. About 2,060 poor widows were given financial assistance (Rs 30,000) for marriage of their daughters. As many as 31,743 girls were enrolled (at birth stage + school stage) under the Ladli scheme till December 2022. The report also said that 21,336 maturity cases have been paid till the third quarter of year 2022-23. About 6.38 lakh children and pregnant/nursing mothers are accessing services of nutrition, vaccination and health services, it said. Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot presented the Outc

Over 10,000 children living on streets with families in India: WCD

Over 10,000 children are living on streets with their families in the country, the Women and Child Development Ministry said on Friday. Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani provided data from the Bal Swaraj portal, which enumerates children living in street situations in the country. According to the data, there are 19,546 children in street situations in the country, out of which 10,401 children are living with their families on the streets, while 8,263 children stay on the streets in the day and are back home in the night with their families who reside in nearby slums. There are 882 children without support who are living on the streets all alone, the data stated.

Women in Budget: Marginal rise in allocation; new savings scheme announced

The budget allocated to the Women and Child Development Ministry, the nodal department of the government for the welfare of women and children, stood at Rs 25,448.75 crore in 2023-24, an increase of Rs 267 crore from Rs 25,172.28 crore allotted in 2022-23. The most significant announcement for women in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech was the proposal for the 'Mahila Samman Saving Certificate' with a fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent for two years. The deposit can be made in the name of a woman or a girl child. The maximum deposit amount has been kept at Rs 2 lakh and the scheme will have a partial withdrawal facility as well. "One-time new small saving under 'Mahila Samman Saving Patra'. The deposit facility for the women and girls will be for a period of two years with a rate of interest of 7.5 per cent," Sitharaman announced. She also said that for the economic empowerment of women under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission, 81 la

Budget 2023: Here's all you need to know about gender budgeting in India

Business Standard tries to demystify gender budgeting, its history, and the road ahead

No waiting period for adopting child with special needs: WCD

There is no waiting period for those who desire to adopt a child having special needs and also from the immediate placement category which includes mostly older children, the government said on Wednesday. The immediate placement category includes children who have been referred several times to prospective adoptive parents (PAP's) through Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System, but have not found a family. These children are mostly above the age of five. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said while there is a long queue to adopt a normal child up to six years of age, there is no waiting period for PAPs who desire to adopt a child having special needs and a child from immediate placement category(mostly older children). According to the data shared by her, 2,991 children, including 1,698 girls, were adopted in 2021-22 while 3,142 children, including 1,856 girls, were adopted in-country in 2020-21 and

Over 2,000 children died in specialised adoption agencies since 2014: Govt

Over 2,000 children have died in specialised adoption agencies since 2014, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said on Friday.

28,663 Indians waiting to adopt a child, trend not declining: Govt

Smriti Irani said 1,030 foreign applicants (including Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizen of India) are registered with the Central Adoption Resource Authority for adoption.

Smriti Irani to chair conference on WCD ministry's schemes in Patna today

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani will chair a conference on the ministry's schemes with stakeholders here on Saturday

SC asks NALSA for number of cases initiated under Domestic Violence Act

The apex court was hearing a plea seeking adequate infrastructure across the country for providing effective legal aid to women abused in matrimonial homes and creating shelter homes for them

National Commission for Women launches anti-human trafficking cell

The Cell will conduct gender sensitization training and workshops in combating human trafficking for police officers and for prosecutors at regional, state and district levels

Will address your grievances soon: Gahlot assures anganwadi workers

Gahlot was handed over the charge of the WCD ministry on Wednesday. He replaced Rajendra Pal Gautam.

PM CARES for Children Scheme extended up to February 28

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has extended the PM CARES for Children Scheme till February 28, 2022. Earlier, the scheme was valid till December 31, 2021.

Budget 2022: WCD ministry allocated Rs 25,172 crore, rise of just 3%

The budget allocated to the Women and Child Development Ministry stood at Rs 25,172.28 crore in 2022-23, a slight increase of 3 per cent from Rs 24,435 crore that was given in 2021-22. Presenting the Budget for 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said recognising the importance of 'Nari Shakti' as the harbinger of India's bright future and for women-led development during the 'Amrit Kaal', the government has comprehensively revamped the schemes of the Ministry of Women & Child Development. Accordingly, Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 were launched recently to provide integrated benefits to women and children. The budget allocated for Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 (Umbrella ICDS - Anganwadi Services, Poshan Abhiyan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls) was Rs 20,263 crore, a small increase from Rs 20,105 crore in 2021-22. The budget allocated for Mission Shakti (Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women) was Rs 3,184 crore in 2022-23, ..

NHRC notice to Jharkhand, WCD min over 'not getting nutrition' reports

The NHRC has issued a notice over a report which alleges that 55 per cent beneficiaries in 159 blocks did not get supplementary nutrition under a government scheme

Misuse of guardianship power is punishable under sections of IPC

Besides choosing guardians carefully, parents should put in additional layers of oversight