Kevin D. Carignan 
Visakhapatnam: To promote, protect and empower women and children, the Union Government has launched several policy interventions which have yielded the desired results, said the Minister of State, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Munjapara Mahendrabhai.
Addressing the southern zone conference on “ambitious districts, impact on women and children” held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, the minister mentioned that the ministry is committed to working for the protection of women and girls against violence and abuse while fighting the stigma against reporting crimes and creating a much safer society.
Munjapara Mahendrabhai said that since 2015, around 708 “one-stop centres” have been operational in India for GBV survivors and more than 5.2 lakh women have been supported through the platform.
He pointed out that the Nirbhaya fund constituted by the Center has supported 34 new projects and programs with targeted interventions which have been assessed taking the total funds to the tune of Rs.10,000 crore.
The Minister of State for Women and Child Development said that over the past five years, the Union Government had distributed almost 12 lakh of growth monitoring devices and more than 11 lakh of smart phones to Anganwadi workers.
Women and Child Development Secretary, Indevar Pandey, explained the nutritional needs of the country which should be given utmost importance as India is one of the most populous countries in the world. He said that with proper use of “Poshan Tracker”, a child’s health condition can easily be assessed for further correction.
Indevar Pandey underscored the importance of proper feedback at district level which would greatly help in focusing on needs and aspirations at Aganwadi and panchayat levels.
. Speaking of Visakhapatnam, Pandey said the district has huge tracts of tribal area. Moreover, he said that the unity government wants comprehensive development in all pockets of the country.
Collectors from aspiration districts representing Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu explained the measures implemented in their respective districts for the development of women and children.
Niti Aayog Rakesh Ranjan, Mission Director of Aspiring Districts Programme, Minister for Women and Children, People with Disabilities and Elderly People of Andhra Pradesh Ushashri Charan among others was present.
Later, Minister Munjapara Mahendrabhai visited an Anganwadi center at Relli Veedhi in Visakhapatnam and interacted with the children. He also visited the One Stop Center located at KGH.
