A programme for children and women in India : plan of operations 1996 - 1997

Building upon the experience and progress gained during the period 1991-95, the Government of India and UNICEF, continuing to collaborate in achieving the goals of the decade set for children and women, entered a two year "bridging" period of cooperation covering the period 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1997. The primary purpose of this "bridging" country programme is to synchronize UNICEF's cooperation with the Government of India's five year planning cycle (1997-2002). This programme embarks upon a period of testing approaches and refining strategies to determine an appropriate mix for inter-sectoral convergent action at the community level. This Plan of Operations comprises two parts. Part One sets out the framework of the programme and contains Articles wherein the general policies, priorities, objectives, programme strategy, management responsibilities, and commitments of the Government, as well as the programme dimensions supported by UNICEF and the related resource allocations, are described. This Plan of Operations seeks to accelerate sustainable progress towards national goals of the decade in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and child protection, with special attention to reaching the unserved and under-served population groups in villages and urban slums, with priority to girls. The main strategic principles are: (1) upgrading the quality of services to match heightened knowledge and capacity of the community; (2) enabling the community to assess its own situation, analyze its causes, and in mutual support to change the situation; and (3) promoting a team mode of work within a scheme of partnership between the community and the local government. Part Two of the document outlines the detailed programme strategy and planned activities. The strategic thrust of the programme process, Convergent Community Action in rural and urban settings, is described. In support, sectoral programmes have been clustered under the headings Child's Environment - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Child Survival and Safe Motherhood; and Primary Education. The inter-sectoral programmes for Child Development and Nutrition will be implemented through community involvement, with informed women's groups at the core.