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(GIST OF YOJANA) Empowering women & Nurturing Children

GIST OF YOJANA : Empowering women & Nurturing Children

SEPTEMBER-2025

Empowering women & Nurturing Children

Context:

Access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and better hygiene practices, collectively known as WASH, are fundamental human rights. It is a foundational element in achieving gender equality and fostering child development across the world.

WASH as a Human Right:

WASH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
Access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and safe hygiene is a fundamental human right.
It directly impacts gender equality, women empowerment, and child development.

Gender Dimensions of WASH:

In many societies, especially in India, women and girls bear the disproportionate burden of sanitation management.
Unpaid domestic labour for water collection or sanitation consumes several hours daily, limiting opportunities for education, work, and community engagement.
Lack of safe sanitation facilities increases health risks, harassment, and vulnerability to violence.

Child Development and WASH:

Poor WASH conditions are linked to high rates of diarrhoea, malnutrition, stunting, and school absenteeism.
Safe water and sanitation promote better nutrition, disease prevention, and educational attainment.

India’s Efforts:

Programs like Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) gave strong momentum to WASH improvements.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) integrated WASH within its welfare schemes to ensure a direct link between gender justice, nutrition, and child protection.

Gender Equality Dimensions of WASH

Challenges Women Face:

Time Burden: Women spend long hours collecting water and managing household sanitation.
Safety & Dignity: Lack of toilets exposes women to harassment and violence.
Menstrual Hygiene: Absence of facilities leads to school dropouts and loss of dignity.

Empowerment Opportunities:

Access to nearby water sources reduces drudgery, enabling women to participate in education, skill-building, and income generation.
Women’s participation in community WASH committees strengthens their role in decision-making and leadership.

Child Well-Being and WASH

Health Benefits:

Reduction in waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid.
Improved sanitation reduces infection rates, boosting nutrition and nutrient absorption.
Educational Benefits:
Functional toilets encourage regular school attendance, especially among girls.
Hygiene education improves school readiness and performance.

Early Childhood Development:

Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) integrate hygiene practices, shaping lifelong healthy behaviours.
Reduces risk of disease transmission in communities.

Major Initiatives by MoWCD Integrating WASH

Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

Overview:

Integrates Poshan Abhiyaan, ICDS, and SAG (Scheme for Adolescent Girls).
Covers 10.16 crore beneficiaries through a network of 14 lakh AWCs.
Beneficiaries include pregnant women, lactating mothers, children (0–6 years), and adolescent girls.

WASH Contributions:

Community-Based Events (CBEs): Over 7 crore events since 2018, sensitising families on hygiene.
Home Visits: Nearly 2 crore visits per month to promote maternal and child hygiene.

Infrastructure:

10.27 lakh AWCs with functional toilets.
12.53 lakh AWCs with drinking water facilities.

Behavioural Change Efforts:

Poshan Maah (September) and Poshan Pakhwada (March-April) as Jan Andolans for mass sensitisation.
Over 3.8 crore WASH awareness activities reported since 2018.

Upgradation of AWCs: 2 lakh AWCs to be transformed into Saksham Anganwadi Centres with:

Safe drinking water
Toilets
LED screens
Water filtration systems
Poshan Vatikas (nutritional gardens)

Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG):

Targets 23 lakh girls (14–18 years) in NE States and Aspirational Districts.
Focus on nutrition, menstrual hygiene, peer education, and community awareness.
Special Campaign 3.0:
Nationwide cleanliness drives in AWCs and public spaces.
Mobilised community volunteers, local governance, and officials for sustained WASH practices.

Mission Shakti (Including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao)

Focus:

Addresses gender discrimination and emphasises the well-being of girls.
Promotes hygiene and sanitation to ensure girls remain in school.

Outcome:

Aims to break the cycle of gender inequality caused by lack of sanitation facilities for girls.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Nature of Scheme: A maternity benefit programme supporting antenatal care and health awareness.

WASH Contribution:

Counselling on hygiene during pregnancy and childcare.
Promotes clean and safe environments for mothers and infants.

Mission Vatsalya

Swachhata Action Plan (SAP):
Funds given to States/UTs to promote WASH in Child Care Institutions (CCIs).
Annual action plans ensure structured WASH activities.

Impact of WASH Integration

On Women:

Reduced physical burden of water collection.
Improved personal safety and dignity.
Greater participation in education and livelihood.

On Children:

Reduced child morbidity and mortality.
Better nutrition outcomes and school performance.
Formation of healthy hygiene habits from early childhood.

On Communities:

Greater awareness and behavioural change through Jan Andolans.
Ownership and sustainability through community participation.

Conclusion:

Thus, through its targeted policies and community-driven programmes, the Ministry of Women and Child Development in India is leveraging WASH as a powerful enabler of gender equality and child well-being. Continued support, innovation, and commitment will be critical to ensuring that every woman and child, regardless of geography or background, has access to the life-changing benefits of WASH.