Government Health Schemes for Women & Children

‘Anganwadi’ is a government-funded scheme that focuses on providing healthcare for children and their mothers at the local village level. This scheme is primarily aimed at children in the age group of 0-6 years as well as their mothers. It was initiated by the Indian Government in 1975 and was a part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program. 

• One Stop Centres

One Stop Centres are a special support scheme for women who have been a victim of violence in their private or public lives. Women who are facing any type of physical, psychological, sexual, or any other kind of abuse can use dedicated women's helplines to get support at these Centres. They would be provided with medical assistance, legal support, psychological counselling, and security against any type of abuse at the One Stop Centres.

• Swadhar Greh Scheme

The Swadhar Greh Scheme was launched by the The Ministry of Women and Child in 2015 to provide institutional and rehabilitation support for women. The goal of this program is to support women who have been dealing with challenging situations like abuse, assault, homelessness, and poverty. In order to help these women, the Swadhar Greh Scheme aims to offer them medical attention, shelter, food, clothing, legal support, and financial assistance.

• Working Women’s Hostel

The Working Women’s Hostel Scheme was launched by the Central Government in the year 2017. This scheme seeks to provide safe and affordable accommodation for working women and their children who have to leave their homes in the pursuit of their careers. It also aims to offer daycare services to the women residents’ children in these hostel. However, the option would only be available to women having a monthly income of ₹35,000 or less (₹50,000 or less in metro areas).

• Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)

The Scheme for Adolescent Girls or SAG is an initiative by the Central Government that was launched in 2011. It aims to provide health, nutrition, and educational support to out-of-school girls between the ages of 11 to 14 years. This programme’s aim is to assist young girls in developing into capable, self-sufficient adults and to motivate them to pursue further education or vocational training. Additionally, the program aids in teaching young girls household and life skills.

• Poshan Abhiyan

The Poshan Abhiyan scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on March 8, 2018, in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. It aims to provide nutritional support for adolescent girls, pregnant women, mothers, and children belonging in the age group of 0-6 years. The Poshan Abhiyan strives to reduce malnutrition, stunted growth, anaemia, etc. in children as well as inyoung girls and mothers. Furthermore, the scheme has been expanded over time to many districts in various states of India.

• Child Protection Services Scheme

The Child Protection Services Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Under this scheme, support is given to children who are in need of assistance and facing difficult situations. Under the CPS program, a number of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) have been constructed to offer various services such as education, career training, medical support, healthcare, counseling, and recreation. This program extends to both urban and rural areas.