Government of India and UNICEF Launch Five-Year Action Plan

Government of India and UNICEF Launch Five-Year Action Plan

Ms. Renuka Chowdhury, Hon’able Minister of State (IC), Woman and Child Development and Ms. Karin Hulshof, Representative, UNICEF India today jointly launched the GOI-UNICEF Programme of Co-operation, 2008-2012. The joint initiative is designed to help India achieve its national development goals while ensuring that no child is left behind as India moves forward.

About one fifth of the world’s children live in India . The country’s progress is key to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The joint plan focuses on the reduction of India ’s infant mortality and maternal mortality rates (IMR and MMR), fighting malnutrition, tackling HIV, providing quality education, ensuring safe water and environmental sanitation and providing child protection. UNICEF is to engage further with civil society and establish innovative partnerships to promote the well-being and survival of India ’s children. UNICEF works in close partnership with other United Nations agencies, the World Bank, bilateral partners, the private sector and international and national non-governmental organizations.

Goal and objectives

The overall goal of the 2008-2012 Country Programme is to advance the fulfillment of the rights of all women and children in India to survive and thrive, develop, participate and be protected by reducing social inequalities based on gender, caste, ethnicity or region.

The Reproductive and Child Health programme aims to reduce infant mortality rates (IMR) from 58 to 28 per 1,000 live births, and maternal mortality rates (MMR) from 301 to 100 per 100,000 live births within five years. The main interventions will revolve around enhancing access to and more equitable coverage of immunization, child survival and maternal care, while strengthening health systems.

The Child Development and Nutrition programme focuses on improving the nutritional status of the mother and child, by promoting breastfeeding, appropriate complementary foods and feeding practices, micronutrient nutrition the control of anaemia and the care of children with severe malnutrition. Anticipated results include the reduction in the level of malnutrition, significant reduction in micronutrient deficiencies and prevention of malnutrition in children below three years.

The Child Environment programme aims to improve the availability of clean or safe water availability, its management, conservation and equitable allocation, as well as access to sanitation and adoption of critical hygiene practices. Key results include sustainable access to and use of safe water and basic sanitation services.

The Child Protection programme seeks to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse by including promoting the Juvenile Justice Act, child labour laws and other related legislation. Key results include strengthened policies, budgets, laws, norms, guidelines and tracking systems on children in need of care and protection and the establishment of child protection units at the state level.

The Education programme works to ensure more children enroll, stay in school and complete elementary education. UNICEF is seeking to improve learning outcomes, completion rates and literacy levels amongst disadvantaged groups. Key results include increased enrolment, retention, achievement and completion rates in elementary education.

The Children and AIDS programme aims to reduce vulnerabilities, slow down the rate of new infections and mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS among children 0-18 years old. Prevention is focused on the most at risk and vulnerable young people. Key results include providing a comprehensive package of services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV to 40 per cent of all HIV-positive pregnant women, appropriate care and treatment to HIV-positive infants and the reduction of stigma.

The Social Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation programme is improving systems for data gathering, analysis and dissemination to support evidence-based programme planning and advocacy. The Behaviour Change Communication programme helps to strengthen the government’s capacity for communication for behaviour and social change, including entertainment education and cross-sectoral communication. The Advocacy and Partnerships programme is building a voice for children through parliament, civil society organisations, media, celebrities and sports endorsements and campaigns to ensure children’s rights.

Almost 80 per cent of India is vulnerable to natural disasters, which cause extensive damage to lives and livelihoods every year. The Emergency Preparedness and Response programme works with the Government for the fulfillment of the rights of children and women in humanitarian crises.

Geographic Focus

At a national level, UNICEF works closely with the central government in ensuring that children’s rights are reflected and resourced in policies and programmes. The seven states of Bihar , Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are the focus of intensive programming, innovations and social mobilization to accelerate progress in child survival and development. In addition, focused interventions in Assam , West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat , Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are supported with advocacy and policy development. In 17 “Integrated Districts” UNICEF is concentrating its efforts on community empowerment, behaviour change and quality service delivery.

Cross posted: ICYO

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