National Programme on Aanganwadi – cum- Crèches (AWCC)

News

  • At Vigyan Bhawan on December 21, 2023, the Ministry of Women and Child Development will host the National Programme on Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCC) under Palna.
  • Sessions theme in the event: On the establishment of crèches in government institutions, inclusion of crèches in corporate social responsibility (CSR), and implementation, challenges, and future directions of the Maternity Benefit Act will also be held during the event.
  • There will be two panel discussions during the event session, one on “Care Economy: Care to Empowerment” and the other on “Intervention in implementing Day Care Centers/Créches,” which will focus on the evolution of child care during Amrit Kaal.
  • The objective of the AWCC: It is to provide high-quality childcare in a secure and safe environment for children (ages 6 months to 6 years), along with nutritional support, health and cognitive development, growth monitoring, immunizations, education, and other services, all while guaranteeing the children’s well-being.

NOTE: Palna, a sub-scheme under Mission Shakti, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, was put into effect for all States and Union Territories on April 1, 2022, with the goal of protecting children and offering day care facilities.

Maternity Benefit Act

●  Maternity Benefit Act of 1961:

○  It was first enacted to control women’s employment in “certain establishments” both before and after childbirth, as well as to offer maternity benefits and other benefits.

○  In 1973, its scope was expanded to include “any such establishment belonging to the Government” and “any establishment where people are employed for the exhibition of acrobatic, equestrian, and other performances.”

●  The Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Act of 2017:

○  It changed Section 5 of the previous Act to permit paid leave following childbirth for 26 weeks, but only for biological mothers.

○  A maternity benefit period of 12 weeks from the date the child is turned over to the mother is entitled to adoptive or surrogate mothers who lawfully adopt a child under three months old, according to Section 5(4) of the amended legislation.

○  Additionally, it added clauses to Section 5 (5) that permit women to work from home when their assigned tasks fall into that category.

○  After she has used the maternity benefit for a certain amount of time, the employer might permit her to do so.

○  The amended Act mandates that every business with fifty or more employees have a creche, and the employer must permit the employee to visit the creche four times a day in addition to taking breaks for rest.

Mission Shakti:

●  It was introduced from 2021–2022 to 2025–2026 during the 15th Finance Commission.

●  A comprehensive program for women’s empowerment, Mission Shakti was introduced as a general plan for women’s safety, security, and empowerment.

 

Source: PIB

 

 

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