A programme for children and women in India : plan of operations 1991-1995

The Government of India and UNICEF have been working together through the 1990s to improve the situation of children and women, especially to ensure their survival, protection and development. This plan of operations has been developed on the basis of joint exercises by the Government and UNICEF carried out through analysis of the changing situation of children and women, the factors affecting it and the means of improving it, and successive steps such as periodic programme reviews and mutual consultations. The plan of operations comprises two parts. Part One, The Framework, contains Articles wherein the general policies, priorities, objectives, strategies, management reponsibilities, and commitments of the Government, as well as the components supported by UNICEF and the related resource allocations, are described. Part Two outlines the planned activities. The two parts are designed as one country programme of cooperation with the provisions of this framework applicable to the various components. The programmes described in Part Two seek to advance the aims of the Government to enhance the quality of life of children and women following national objectives for social and human development. Programmes have been developed to reduce the infant, under 5, and maternal mortality rate; to reduce morbidity of infants and children; to promote universal access to drinking water; to increase social acceptance of sanitary practices; to enhance the nutritional well being of children, adolescent girls and women; to improve opportunities for basic education for all children and women and to increase attendance in primary schools; to improve the social and economic opportunities of women; and to reduce disparities in terms of social and economic development indicators among geographical areas and socio-economic groups and between males and females. The programmes stress community based strategies particularly for health and sanitation promotion issues, and, in support of this, a programme communication strategy has been developed as part of the overall programme strategy. To sustain a change of unhealthy traditional habits in respect of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, a minimum of 15 per cent of the Central Sector budget will be allocated to information, education and communication activities, and, as well, sanitation cells and village water and sanitation committees with the participation of women will be actively promoted.