The Ministry of Women and Child Development on November 29th 2024 introduced the Anganwadi cum Crèche (AWCC), a pioneering initiative aimed at providing reliable, full-day childcare services to working mothers across India. This initiative is designed to support working women by offering a safe and secure environment for their children, enabling women to participate more actively in the workforce.
Key Highlights:
- Support for Working Women: With the rise of nuclear families and more women entering the workforce, reliable childcare services have become essential. The AWCC aims to bridge this gap by offering formal daycare facilities, allowing mothers to focus on their careers without worrying about childcare.
- Palna Component: As part of this initiative, the Palna component formalizes childcare services, which were traditionally seen as part of domestic work. This move aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, promoting decent work and economic growth, and empowering mothers to pursue gainful employment.
- Inclusive Crèche Services: The AWCC provides crèche facilities for all mothers, regardless of their employment status. This ensures that even stay-at-home mothers can access quality childcare services, supporting their overall well-being and that of their children.
- Comprehensive Childcare: The AWCC program caters to children aged 6 months to 6 years. It focuses on their nutritional support, healthcare, cognitive development, growth monitoring, and immunization.
- Widespread Implementation: As of now, 10,609 AWCCs have been approved across India. Various states, including West Bengal, have submitted proposals for new AWCCs, with several already approved, although they are yet to be operationalized in some regions.
Empowering Women and Strengthening Families
The introduction of the AWCC program marks a significant step in empowering women and enhancing family welfare. By providing accessible childcare, the government is not only promoting women’s workforce participation but also contributing to gender equality and the economic well-being of families.
This initiative promises to improve the childcare landscape in India, ensuring children receive the care they need while supporting mothers in their professional pursuits.
