Distress of Women Workers in Government Programmes
Congress MP Sonia Gandhi highlighted the challenging conditions of women workers involved in critical government programmes during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha.
ASHA and Anganwadi Workers
- ASHA Workers
- Engaged in immunisation, mobilisation, maternal health, and family welfare.
- Operate as volunteers receiving a low honorarium and limited social security.
- Anganwadi Workers
- Receive a meagre base honorarium of Rs 4,500 per month from the Union Government.
- Anganwadi helpers receive Rs 2,250 per month.
Challenges and Recommendations
- Vacancies and Population Norms
- Nearly 3 lakh vacancies exist in the Integrated Child Development Services.
- Posts fall short of population norms due to the absence of updated census figures since 2011.
- Recommendations
- Double the government’s contribution to the compensation of ASHA and anganwadi workers.
- Appoint an additional ASHA worker in every village with a population over 2,500.
- Double the number of anganwadi workers to better meet community needs.
