April 1, 2014
1000 days at a glance: Women and Child Development
The All India Trinamool Congress led West Bengal Government, under the leadership of Ms. Mamata Banerjee, has been committed towards working for the development of women and children. Several beneficiary schemes have been launched by the Government to aid women as well as children. The child mortality rate has gone down in the state, and women can now voice their problems freely.
Here are some of the achievements of the Women and Child Development department:
Kanyashree:
In order to encourage girl-children to go to schools and discourage early marriage, the Hon`ble Chief Minister inaugurated the Kanyashree Prakalpo on October 1, 2013, where money is directly credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. This Prakalpo consists of two components: annual stipend of Rs 500 for girls aged between 13 and 18, studying in schools, and providing one-time grant of Rs 25,000 to unmarried girls aged between 18 and 19 who are studying/undergoing training. About 11 lakh girls have been enlisted so far and among this, applications of 8 lakh girls have been sanctioned.
Schemes for social security of teenage girls:
Girl-students of schools and colleges are being trained in self-defence with the assistance of police through Sukanya Prakalpo. January 24 in 2013 was observed as National Girl Child Day for the first-time ever in this state, giving emphasis on girl-children and the importance of rearing them well. Since then, this day is being observed in a befitting manner every year.
Empowerment of women:
- Rajya Mission Sanstha has been constituted under the chairpersonship of the Hon`ble Chief Minister, and Rajya Mahila Sampad Kendra has been set up under it. Rajya Mahila Sampad Kendra has organised workshops, seminars, etc. with an eye on the implementation of the policy of empowerment of women.
- State Women`s Empowerment Policy has been formulated for the first time in West Bengal.
- With a view to enhancement of efficiency for the purpose of economic empowerment of women under the Swabalamban Prakalpo, technical training has been provided to them. During 2012-13, 23 profession-oriented six-month technical training courses were taught to 3115 women.
- Inmates of homes run by the government and private organisations are being appointed by phases under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme in Anganwadi Centres.
- International Women`s Day is being observed on March 8 every year, glorifying the success of the women of Bengal.
Steps towards prevention of women and child trafficking:
West Bengal has taken proactive steps towards the rescue of women and children who have infiltrated from or have been trafficked from Bangladesh, giving them either a safe passage back or rehabilitation and repatriation. Taking North Dinajpur as the pilot district, several programmes have been initiated to prevent their trafficking and providing them safe custody.
Child protection:
- For investigation of missing and oppressed children, the Track Child 1.6 portal has been made for public. 335 posts have been created to implement child rights programmes, which would be filled up soon; meanwhile, 186 posts have already been filled up.
- State Child Protection Society (SCPS), State Adoption Resources Agency (SARA) and District Child Protection Society (DCPS) have been formed.
- Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board are working in 19 districts.
- The maintenance charge of the inmates of cottage homes (for destitute children) has been increased from Rs 1100 to Rs 1250 per person.
- The children`s home at Kadai in Berhampore, which had been lying closed since long, has been renamed Kazi Nazrul Child Home and was inaugurated on February 14, 2014.
- State-wide seminars have started and work plans have been made to address the issue of declining child-sex ratio.
For the complete list of achievements, click here.
