State-Level Consultation Programme Held During Poshan Maah, Emphasising Child Nutrition and the Need for a Creche Policy
State-Level Consultation Programme Held During Poshan Maah, Emphasising Child Nutrition and the Need for a Creche Policy
New Delhi
NEEV DELHI FORCES organised a state-level consultation programme on Poshan Maah at the Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi. Representatives from 68 partner organisations participated in the programme.
The programme was attended by Dr. Om Prakash Vyas, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), as the Chief Guest. Other prominent participants included Dr. Nupur Birla (NAPI Network), Dr. Aparajita Sharma (National FORCES), Mr. Amrish Dubey (NCCM), Ashia (Right to Food), Awadhesh Yadav (Convenor, NEEV Delhi FORCES), Ashok Kumar Jha (Steering Committee Member, NEEV Delhi FORCES), Thaneshwar Dayal Adigond (Steering Committee Member, NEEV Delhi FORCES), and Sant Lal (Representative, NEEV Delhi FORCES).
The primary objective of the programme was to discuss child nutrition, Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), the promotion of nutritious home-cooked food, and measures to reduce the growing consumption of ultra-processed and packaged food products.
The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Thaneshwar Dayal Adigond, Steering Committee Member of NEEV Delhi FORCES. He shared information about the activities and initiatives undertaken by various organisations during Poshan Maah. He stated that several organisations had participated in the campaign and collectively pledged to work towards improving ECCD and child nutrition.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp in the presence of Steering Committee members and Dr. O. P. Vyas. This was followed by a musical presentation by Gyanwati Ji and her colleagues. Representatives from various fields, including Dr. O. P. Vyas, Awadhesh Yadav, Sant Lal, Guddi, Farooq and Rinki, were welcomed during the event.
Sharing his experience in the field of child welfare, Dr. O. P. Vyas emphasised that discussions on children's rights, nutrition and health are not enough unless the recommendations are translated into practical action. He stated that ensuring access to quality food for children and women is a collective responsibility. The government, civil society organisations and communities must work together to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition.
He highlighted food adulteration, food quality and their impact on children's health as serious concerns. He stressed that activities undertaken during Poshan Maah should not be limited to a single month but should continue throughout the year. He also emphasised promoting traditional and home-cooked food and monitoring the quality of meals served at Anganwadi centres and creches. He expressed support for strengthening creche facilities and the demand for a dedicated creche policy in Delhi.
The meeting also discussed the initiatives of the National Network FORCES and ongoing efforts related to creche services. Network representatives reported that 611 creches had been established in Delhi through various initiatives. They emphasised the need to strengthen these facilities further and explore ways to integrate creche services with Anganwadi centres.
Special emphasis was placed on the need for safe and quality childcare facilities for the children of construction workers, domestic workers and working women. Representatives called for the formulation of a creche policy in Delhi under the Palna framework to ensure a systematic arrangement for the care, nutrition and development of young children.
During the programme, the network's website and annual report were launched by Dr. O. P. Vyas. The annual report was also formally released by the distinguished guests.
First Session: Experiences and Achievements During Poshan Maah
In the first session, representatives from different areas shared their activities, community outreach initiatives and experiences during Poshan Maah.।
Awadhesh Yadav highlighted the overall achievements of the campaign and stated that 32 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), working across 33 areas, had directly reached 2,622 people and indirectly reached 1,878 people to improve awareness and understanding of ultra-processed food products.
Other representatives emphasised the importance of educating children and parents about nutritious food, food labels, ingredients, sugar and fat content, and the potential adverse effects of packaged food products. They also highlighted the need to spread reliable information to a wider audience through community engagement and social media.
Participants suggested strengthening food-quality testing, monitoring Anganwadi centres and institutional kitchens, and developing effective mechanisms for addressing complaints related to food quality.
Second Session: Panel Discussion on Child Rights, Nutrition and Food Safety
The second session featured a panel discussion on important issues, including child rights, nutrition, food safety, women's rights and the regulation of ultra-processed food products.
Ashok Jha emphasised the need for effective policies and regulations to protect children's rights and ensure proper nutrition. He stated that data, monitoring mechanisms and social audits are important for assessing and improving children's nutritional status.
Ashia, representing Right to Food, said that nutrition should not be restricted to providing only the minimum required diet. Instead, greater attention must be given to ensuring that children receive adequate and nutritious food. She also highlighted the need for sufficient budgetary allocations for nutrition, better quality in mid-day meals, and protection of the food rights of migrant and displaced children.
Dr. Nupur Birla raised concerns relating to maternity entitlements, breastfeeding, complementary feeding for young children and the regulation of ultra-processed food products. She emphasised the need for clear labelling of ingredients, sugar and fat content on food packages, along with effective warning labels to help consumers make informed choices. She also called for appropriate regulation of food advertisements targeting children.
Dr. Aparajita Sharma observed that women shoulder a significant share of childcare and nutritional responsibilities. Therefore, policies must take into account women's rights, the actual circumstances of families and the needs of local communities. She stressed the importance of conducting awareness campaigns in collaboration with different networks and raising nutrition-related issues at the grassroots level.
*Key Recommendations and Action Plans*
1. Awareness Campaigns: Conduct continuous community-level campaigns to promote fresh, nutritious, home-cooked food and reduce the consumption of ultra-processed food products.
2. Joint Memorandum: Prepare a joint memorandum on food quality-related concerns in collaboration with other networks.
3. Clear Food Labelling: Advocate for clear information in Hindi on food ingredients, sugar and fat content, and appropriate warning labels on packaged food products.
4. Food Safety for Children: Demand effective regulation of ultra-processed food products intended for children below six years of age and stronger controls on advertisements targeting children.
5. Public Hearings: Organise public hearings across four areas, in collaboration with other networks and the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), on nutrition, food quality and children's rights.
6. Creche Policy for Delhi: Intensify efforts to advocate for an effective creche policy in Delhi, taking into account the needs of working women and young children.
7. Joint Research and Documentation: Undertake collaborative research on nutrition, food quality, children's health and local food traditions to develop evidence-based recommendations.
8. Social Media and Public Communication: Disseminate accurate information on nutrition to more families through awareness posters, digital content and other communication channels.
*Vote of Thanks and Conclusion*
At the conclusion of the programme, Kavita Ji thanked all participants, the FORCES Steering Committee, representatives from different areas, partner organisations and network members for their contributions and participation. The programme concluded with a musical presentation by Gyanwati Ji and her colleagues.
The central message of the consultation was that ensuring proper nutrition, safe food and quality childcare for children is not solely the responsibility of the government; it is a shared responsibility of society, organisations and communities. Participants emphasised the need to sustain the efforts initiated during Poshan Maah and continue working collectively to improve children's health, nutrition and overall development.
*Journalist Usha Mahna, New Delhi*
