By Umesh Baurai, FXB India Suraksha ,26 Sep :Our FXB India Suraksha team decided to have an adolescent health education program with girls of sector 32c, Chandigarh. On the question of venue I did not have any second thought other than of Aganwadi centre through which government implement ICDS scheme which also provides services to adolescent girls between 11-18 years. Services like Nutrition and health education, Non formal education, Home-based skill training and vocational training, and de-worming intervention.
But of my great surprise we were ask to have a permission from Managing Director of Department of social welfare for conducting program related to adolescent health education. This guidance in the form of direction by Aganwadi worker did not go well with me and I was forced to look at the basic ethos of the ICDS so that if I couldn’t get permission with in time I can put my views in front of Ms. Amandeep kaur, Managing Director of Department of social welfare, a fine lady with clear vision and commitment towards the down trodden people.
I am surprised ICDS a community based program implemented on 2 October 1975, which envisage an active participation of mahila mandals and youth club, religious and local leaders’ primary school bodies misses the support and participation of community wherever I have worked as a social worker in India. My own analysis is poor opportunity provided by ICDS officials.
ICDS promotes and safeguard child rights related to survival, protection, participation, and development.
Right to survival includes rights related to life, healh, water, sanitation, and environment adequate standard of living, right to a name from the birth, right to acquire nationality, right to know and be cared by his or her parents.
Right to protection –it include rights related to protection of children from all forms of discrimination, exploitation, abuse, inhuman or degrading treatment and neglect disability right to special protection in situations of emergency and armed conflicts.
Right to participation – It include rights related to respect views of child, right to freedom of expression, thoughts, conscience and religion, freedom of association and peaceful harmony, access to appropriate information and awareness.
Right to development – It includes right related to education, support for early childhood development and care, social security and right to leisure, recreation and cultural activities.
The real question arises whether with out active participation of common masses Beneficiaries below three or between 3 and 6 can avail services like supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, immunization, Health check-up, and referral services and services like non –formal preschool education. It is the duty of every concerned person to raise questions if quality of services provided by ICDS is poor and instead of community members, ICDS officials’ have control over activities. Voluntary organization must participate in ICDS scheme and train community about the ethos ICDS scheme Active participation of concern people can help lakhs of children who are deprived of proper maturation due to their poor economic status.
