Context:
Anganwadi workers in Andhra Pradesh are on strike, seeking improved wages and benefits. The State government has responded by invoking the Essential Services and Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1971, imposing a six-month ban on their strikes due to the perceived impact on Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) at Anganwadi Centres.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- Anganwadi Services: Overview and Role of Workers
- Major Roles and Responsibilities of AWWs
- Challenges Faced by Anganwadi Workers (AWWs)
Anganwadi Services: Overview and Role of Workers
ICDS Scheme Evolution:
- Launched on October 2, 1975, the ICDS scheme has transformed into Anganwadi Services, now integrated into Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme:
- Implemented by States/UTs, it focuses on early childhood care and development for beneficiaries aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
- Administered through a vast network of Anganwadi workers (AWW) and Helpers (AWH).
Services Offered:
- Extends services to eligible beneficiaries through Anganwadi Centers nationwide.
- Health-related services, including Immunization, Health Check-ups, and Referral Services, are provided through the National Rural Health Mission & Public Health Infrastructure.
Tracking Anganwadi Services:
- Utilizes the ICT platform Poshan tracker for real-time data capture, monitoring, and implementation of Anganwadi Services.
- Offers a comprehensive view of Anganwadi Centre activities, service deliveries by Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and beneficiary management.
Major Roles and Responsibilities of AWWs:
- Identifying and enrolling eligible pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under six for ICDS services.
- Promoting community participation, raising awareness about ICDS programs, and advocating healthy behaviors.
- Ensuring center cleanliness, maintaining records, and creating teaching materials.
- Conducting age-appropriate activities to prepare children for formal schooling.
- Regularly measuring children’s height and weight, identifying developmental delays, and facilitating interventions.
- Offering guidance on childcare practices, child nutrition, and healthy habits.
- Providing hot meals, take-home rations, and nutritional supplements to address malnutrition.
- Monitoring children’s health, conducting basic checkups, and referring for further interventions.
- Guiding Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) under the National Rural Health Mission.
- Assisting in organizing immunization drives and educating communities on health, hygiene, and sanitation.
Challenges Faced by Anganwadi Workers (AWWs)
Financial Recognition:
- AWWs are not officially recognized as government employees, receiving monthly honorariums significantly below minimum wages, ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000.
- Low compensation poses challenges in meeting basic needs, impacting their dedication to work.
Delayed Honorariums:
- Common delays in receiving honorariums contribute to financial insecurity and hardships for AWWs.
Additional Unpaid Duties:
- Assigned various tasks, AWWs often undertake additional responsibilities such as Covid-19 duties, Census duties, or implementing government schemes without extra financial benefits.
- Extensive workloads lead to burnout, affecting the quality of services provided.
Training Gaps:
- Initial training for AWWs falls short in adequately preparing them for the multifaceted challenges they encounter daily.
Lack of Resources:
- Anganwadi centers often lack essential resources like proper infrastructure, teaching materials, and medicines, hindering effective functioning.
Societal Stigma and Recognition:
- AWWs face societal stigma and lack recognition for their significant community contributions, impacting morale and motivation negatively.
-Source: The Hindu
