What are the duties of Anganwadi workers?
Hint: Anganwadi was a program launched by the Indian government as part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) initiative. It serves as a primary healthcare and educational center in rural areas of India, emphasizing the well-being of expectant mothers and breastfeeding women, as well as child healthcare.
Complete answer:
The key services offered by Anganwadi workers include conducting basic health checkups and immunization, providing supplementary nutrition, and educating people (particularly women) on family planning, health, and well-being. An Anganwadi worker is typically a local resident and has completed at least elementary school education.
Other tasks assigned to Anganwadi workers include the following:
– Ensuring the active involvement and cooperation of the community members.
– Maintaining records of all children and expectant mothers.
– Offering informal education to children under six years of age.
– Assisting Mahila Mandals and participating in initiatives like Kishori Shakti Yojana (focused on adolescent girls).
– Keeping track of the birth and death statistics (for both children and mothers) in their village.
– In addition to providing nutritional supplements, Anganwadi workers also make referrals for children who are severely malnourished.
Despite the numerous responsibilities, the dedicated efforts of Anganwadi workers play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life at the grassroots level.
Note: As per a 2019 report, the government intends to set up 2.5 lakh Anganwadi centers within the next five years. These centers will offer amenities like crèches and digital classrooms for children. The Anganwadi program began in 1975 with approximately a hundred centers in the Mysore district. Today, the total number of operational centers stands at 13.77 lakh, employing around 24 lakh individuals.