Family and Child Welfare

Family and Child Welfare 3 (3+0)

Lesson 1 : Introduction to Family and child Welfare

Family Welfare

India, the largest democratic republic in the world, possesses 2.4% of the world’s land area and supports 16% of the world population. It is the second most popular country after China. Every year it adds about 16 million people to its large base of population. Massive implication of rapid population growth had already diluted much of benefits of our substantial economic growth since independence which made it obligatory to adopt a policy of Family Planning. India is the first developing country in the world to have a Family Planning Programme.

India launched the National Family Welfare Programme in 1951 with the objective of "reducing the birth rate to the extent necessary to stabilize the population at a level consistent with the requirement of the National economy.

The Family Welfare Programme in India is recognized as a priority area, and is being implemented as a 100% Centrally sponsored programme. As per Constitution of India, Family Planning is in the Concurrent list. The approach under the programme during the First and Second Five Year Plans was mainly "Clinical" under which facilities for provision of services were created. However, on the basis of data brought out by the 1961 census, clinical approach adopted in the first two plans was replaced by "Extension and Education Approach" which envisaged expansion of services facilities along with spread of message of small family norm.

Objectives / aims of the welfare programmes in India and abroad:

1. Reducing infant mortality rate
2. Reducing maternal mortality rate
3. Reducing malnutrition among children
4. Achieving 100% civil registration of birth.
5. Universzalization of early childhood care and developmental and quality education for all children
6. Complete abolition of female foeticide, female infanticide and child marriage as well as ensuring the survival, development and protection of the girl child.
7. Improving water and sanitation coverage both in rural and urban areas.
8. Addressing and upholding the rights of children in different circumstances.
9. Securing for all children all legal and social protection from all kinds of abuse, exploitation and neglect.
10. Complete abolition of child labour with the aim of progressively eliminating all forms of economic exploitation of children.
11. Monitoring , review and reform of policies, programmes and loss to ensure protection of children’s interests and rights
12. Ensuring child participation and choice in matters and decisions affecting their lives