Publication:

The role of anganwadi centres in addressing maternal and child health challenges in rural India

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of children under six years of age, along with pregnant and lactating women. At the centre of this programme are anganwadi centres (AWCs), which serve as the primary platform for delivering a range of health, nutrition and early childhood care services in rural areas. However, rural women and children continue to face serious health challenges such as malnutrition, anaemia, low immunization coverage and limited access to health awareness and services. This paper, based on available literature, critically discusses the role played by Anganwadis in addressing these health concerns. It highlights the contributions of AWCs in improving child nutrition, promoting maternal health, supporting immunization drives, and offering basic health education at the community level. At the same time, the paper also points to several gaps and challenges, including poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and coordination issues. The paper concludes by stressing the importance of strengthening Anganwadi services for advancing rural public health and recommends policy attention to ensure their effective functioning and long-term sustainability.