Chandigarh, May 15:- Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Naib Singh Saini said that women and children are the basis of any society and country, without empowering them, the nation cannot be empowered. Empowering women and children is among the priorities of the Haryana Government. The Women and Child Development Department should prepare its action plan for the next 5 years keeping this fact in mind.
The Chief Minister gave these instructions during the review of the next 5-year action plan of the Women and Child Development Department under 'Haryana Vision-2047'.
He said that the aim of the Haryana Government is to build an inclusive and just society where women have the right to live a dignified life, are free from violence and where every child is brought up in a safe, healthy and supportive environment, along with getting full opportunities for development and progress.
The Chief Minister said that the Women and Child Development Department should start various activities for children to check whether every child is fulfilling the physical and mental milestones according to their age. 'Baby shows' and health competitions should be started for children of every age group, the winners of which should also be honored. Representatives of society, family and government should also be included in such programs. These activities will create awareness among mothers about the health of children. He said that the first 6 years of a child's life are very important, on which their entire future depends. Mr. Naib Singh Saini said that an ideal family and a healthy society cannot be imagined without the education, health and awareness of women, because the physical and mental health of children can also be protected only in the hands of mothers. Therefore, the department should also include the strategy of making women more aware in its upcoming action plan. To provide a good environment to women and empower them, 'Working Women Hostels' for working women and 'Creche Centres' for their children should also be opened in every district.
The Chief Minister said that the Women and Child Development Department should prepare a special action plan for public awareness among women across the state to increase the birth rate of girls. He said that a target of increasing the sex ratio rate in Haryana above the national average of 933 should be set and a concrete action plan should be prepared towards achieving it. He also gave instructions to increase the scope of anemia screening for women and children and provide supplements as per the requirement. He also gave instructions to provide special nutritional materials to children up to 3 years and lactating mothers.
Mr. Naib Singh Saini said that a district-wise 'Women Empowerment Index' should be prepared in Haryana so that it can be known in which district the facilities for women need to be increased. He said that in order to effectively sensitize women, it is necessary to provide special training to Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Commissioner and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department Shekhar Vidyarthi said that at present 25,962 Anganwadi centers are being run in the state. Anganwadi workers and helpers working in these have to enter various details related to women and children online, so the department is preparing a proposal to increase their qualification and provide them with necessary equipment.
On this occasion, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Rajesh Khullar, Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Arun Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department Shekhar Vidyarthi, Director Dr. Priyanka Soni, OSD to the Chief Minister and Director General of Swaran Jayanti Haryana Institute of Financial Management Dr. Raj Nehru and Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Yashpal Yadav were also present.