MISSION VATSALA

1. About

• For effective implementation of various schemes and programmes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, all major schemes of the Ministry have been classified under 3 umbrella schemes viz. Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti.

2. Background

• Women and Children constitute 67.7% of India’s population as per the 2011 census. Empowerment and protection of women and children and ensuring their wholesome development are crucial for the sustainable and equitable development of the country. 
• Ministry of Women and Child Development strives to ensure well-nourished and happy children growing in a safe and secure environment and empower women by providing them with an environment which is accessible, affordable, reliable and free from all forms of discrimination and violence. 
• The prime objective of the Ministry is to address gaps in State action for women and children and to promote inter-ministerial inter-sectoraloral convergence to create gender equitable child-centred legislation, policies and programmes.
• The Constitution of the country has granted equal rights to women and men in terms of freedom and opportunity. 
• To enable the woman to be the author of her destiny, a life-cycle continuum approach is being adopted that creates an ecosystem that addresses inherent biases role-playslays, protects and upholds the rights and dignity of women and equips them with the necessary skill sets instilsills confidence in them to forge their way ahead. 
• Safety, security and dignity of women are of paramount importance to Government. Hence, there is a need to create an inclusive society where women and girls have equal access to resources and opportunities, enabling them to participate in the social, economic and political development of India. 
• Women are key agents for achieving transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development. 
• To achieve this objective, continuation of existing schemes with suitable modifications is inevitable and necessary which can be achieved through Mission Shakti.
• Children are the future of our count the well-being of children is essential for the country’s development as they contribute to the future human resource of the country. 
• To strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach, and outcomes, the Government is merging the Supplementary Nutrition Programme and Poshan Abhiyan to launch Mission POSHAN 2.0. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has taken many initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Mission VATSALYA will ensure the same going ahead.

3.About Mission vatsala

• Approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2022, Mission Vatsalya is one of the new triads of schemes along with Mission Shakti, and Poshan 2.0, that aims at securing a healthy and happy childhood for every child. 
• The objective of Mission Vatsalya is to secure a healthy and happy childhood for every child in India; foster a sensitive, supportive and synchronized ecosystem for the development of children; assist States/UTs in delivering the mandate of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015; achieve the SDG goals. 
• This mission is essentially rechristening a pre-existing scheme called Child Protection Services, and also includes child welfare services. 

• Components under Mission Vatsalya include statutory bodies. 

• service delivery structures. 
• Institutional care/services. 
• Non-institutional community-based care. 
• Emergency outreach services. 
• Training and capacity building. 

• ChildLine (1098), the 24-hour toll-free helpline for children in distress, will be manned by the Home Affairs Ministry under Mission Vatsalya. 
• As per the draft guidelines, to encourage public participation, develop synergy in efforts and utilize the resources available for the success of the mission, civil society, people’s groups and various volunteering organizations can be encouraged to participate under Mission Vatsalya in a systematic and planned manner. 
• These could include organizations under government initiatives such as Bharat Scout and Guide, NSS Volunteers, Nehru Yuva Kendras and more NGOs and SelfHelp Groups could be identified. The Ministry has also proposed a Vatsalya portal that will allow volunteers to register so that State and District Authorities can engage them in executing various schemes. 
• Under the scheme the government also plans to “integrate” the massively successful Childline with Ministry of Home Affairs’ helpline 112 which provides emergency services for medical emergencies, women’s safety and fire – a move that has child rights activists very worried.