Government
of Jharkhand
Social Welfare, Women & Child Development Department
 The Department of Social
welfare, women and Child Development can look back at the
achievements of the last 5 years in the areas of nutrition, care for
the physically challenged and empowerment of women. Our campaign
against malnutrition among children between the ages of 0 to 6 year
has reached a new high with the universalisation of the ICDS
program. All children irrespective of their caste, creed and colour
are benefited by this scheme which covers pregnant and lactating
mothers as well. This is an important step in ensuring that the
child of the poorest family in the State is ensured of adequate
supplementary nutrition when it is most needed for his or her
overall mental and physical well-being.
In the area of the care
of the physically challenged, one singular achievement has been the
introduction of the Vivekananda Nisshakt Swawlamban Protsahan Yojana,
whereby every physically challenged person above the age of 5 years
is given a monthly stipend of 400 rupees. In all it is estimated
that the State has a physically challenged population of around 3%
of the total population. Besides this, a number of initiatives have
been made to build and commission blind schools in several
districts.
One notable achievement
during the last plan period was the synergy developed between the
Departments of Health and Family Welfare and the Social Welfare
Department which has given a considerable boost to the success of
routine immunization in the Anganwadi Centers to children and
mothers. This synergy is to be kept intact in the coming years as
well.
Empowerment of women and
the care of the girl child also engaged the attention of the
Department during the 11th Plan Period and the thrust in
this area is proposed to be continued in the 12th Plan
period as well. The prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace
needs special mention rescue and rehabilitation of adolescent girls
who migrate from the rural heartland of the State to metropolitan
cities on the promise of jobs but are later sexually and physically
abused. The Department is committed that such vulnerable sections
are protected; their problems monitored with adequate safety net and
rehabilitation schemes as the Department has spearheaded awareness
campaign in all Government offices and the educational institutes.
The Department is now
geared to meet the challenges of the 12th Five Year Plan
with renewed commitment to our set goals and new approaches, to
match the changes that are emerging in the society due to
accelerated economic growth. With the economy growing at a rate of
8% and above, the outlook is bright. But along with accelerated
economic growth there are also certain negative trends that we have
to watch out for. The 12th Plan speaks of inclusive
growth wherein the fruits of development and growth are equitably
distributed among all sections of society. We must therefore ensure
that the underprivileged and the differently enabled persons are not
left out or marginalized. We must also ensure gender equity and
protection of women at the workplace as more and more women go out
of their homes and engages in productive economic activity.
Involvement of the non-Governmental agencies and the private sector
needs to be encouraged to social commitments so that a strong
partnership is built between Government on the one hand and the
private sector on the other.
It has been the constant
Endeavour of Social Welfare Department to provide frame work for
assigning priority to different needs of the children, women,
disabled, older persons for their holistic development.
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