Anganwadi centric skill development could be the way forward for women empowerment at the grass-root level in Telangana.
A project to train women in handicrafts, weaving, pearl treatment and intricate metal work will soon be taken up at Anganwadi centres with an aim to aid young mothers find ways of self employment.
As per the plan proposed by the Women and Child Welfare Department, young mothers who are dependent on Anganwadi centres for prenatal and ante-natal care will be trained by skilled artisans, who are supplied by recognised non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
While the project was to be launched the previous year, the department got a go ahead from the Centre only this year. A Union Government grant of Rs. 30 crore was sanctioned by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, this month. The grant comes under the multi-sectoral programme of the Union Government.
The plan is to make nutrition improvement, child care and women self-help part of Anganwadi-centred welfare measures. A pilot project to this effect was already launched in States including Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. The project will also have to be partially funded by the State.
“The initial budget of the programme is only seed money. The full funding will be extended to different States in a couple of years,” said a senior official of the Women and Child Welfare Department. As funds are expected to reach the State shortly, the Telangana government will have to identify Anganwadis that will be given a boost. As per the estimates, a total of 320 Anganwadis could be identified for the project in the initial phase.
Officials said that if found beneficial, the Union Government will expand the scope of the programme. Enrolment rate of women should be over 50 per cent this year for the Union Ministry to continue with the project. “The project was proposed by non-governmental organisations of Gujarat. A similar programme that was highly successful was implemented in Anganwadis in the State,” an officer said.
Anganwadis which have a high concentration of women who are interested in earning their own living will be selected for the programme. The project will have to wait for about five years to reach its capacity. Time allotted for training will be one to two hours a day. Women will also be taught personal hygiene, conduct and sale etiquette in these classes. However, the project is still under scrutiny for officials to study the best method of implementation.
A project to train women in handicrafts, weaving, pearl treatment and intricate metal work will soon be taken up at Anganwadi centres
