6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah | 02 Sep 2023

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) is celebrating the 6^th Rashtriya Poshan Maah throughout September 2023.

What are the Key Highlights About Poshan Maah 2023?

• Focus & Objective:
  • The focus is on comprehensively addressing malnutrition using a life-cycle approach, which is a key component of Mission Poshan 2.0.
  • The main objective is to raise awareness about critical life stages, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, in order to promote better nutrition across India.
• Theme:
  • ‘Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat’ (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India), emphasising the importance of nutrition, education, and empowerment in building a healthier and stronger country.
• This Year’s Initiatives:
  • During this month-long event, the MoWCD will lead nationwide efforts to raise awareness about nutrition, focusing on key themes such as Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding.
  • These efforts include activities like:
    • Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition) to encourage healthy competition for better nutrition and overall well-being.
    • Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition and Education), improving nutrition through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), sensitising tribal communities about nutrition, and addressing anaemia through a Test, Treat, Talk approach.
• 2022’s Progress:
  • During 2022 Poshan Maah, more than 170 million sensitization activities took place, focusing on key themes related to nutrition.
  • Over 600 million activities have been conducted as part of the Jan Andolan movement during Poshan Pakhwadas (March) and Poshan Maahs (September) each year.

What is Poshan Abhiyaan?

• About:
  • It is a flagship initiative by the Government of India (GoI) for addressing malnutrition comprehensively.
• Aim:
  • This integration aims to create an integrated nutrition support program that enhances the content, delivery, outreach, and overall outcomes of nutritional services.
  • The primary focus is on promoting practices that improve health, wellness, and immunity against diseases and malnutrition.
• Target Audience:
  • It targets pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under 6 years of age.
• Poshan Tracker App:
  • In 2021, the MoWCD launched an application called Poshan Tracker.
  • As of February 2022, the number of beneficiaries registered on Poshan Tracker:

What is Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0?

• About:
  • In FY 2021-22, the government restructured some schemes into Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0. It includes the following sub-schemes:
    • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
    • POSHAN Abhiyaan
    • Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)
    • National Creche Scheme
• Fund:
  • Poshan 2.0 is an ongoing Centrally-Sponsored Scheme being implemented through the State Govts/ UT administrations based on a cost-sharing ratio between the Central and the State Government.
• Vision:
  • Address the challenging situation of malnutrition among children up to the age of 6 years, adolescent girls (14-18 years) and pregnant and lactating women.
  • Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and SDG 4 on Quality Education) lies at the forefront of this programme design.
  • Focus on the fundamental importance of nutrition and early childhood care and education for the well-being, growth and development of children into healthy and productive adults.
• Components:
  • Nutrition Support for POSHAN through SNP for children of the age group of 06 months to 6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers (PWLM).
    • For Adolescent Girls in the age group of 14 to 18 years in Aspirational Districts and North Eastern Region (NER).
  • Early Childhood Care and Education (3-6 years) and early stimulation for (0-3 years).
  • Anganwadi Infrastructure including modern, upgraded Saksham Anganwadi, and Poshan Abhiyaan.