Charter of Demands

The following demands formed part of the resolution adopted by the national convention:

• Anganwadi centres should be developed as creches-cum-daycare centres

• Government of India should increase its budget allocation to the Women and Child Development department. The decision to promote gender-based budgeting and to allocate at least 40 per cent of all funds for the development of women should also be implemented to ensure that the department is provided enough funds for the overall development of women and children.

• The services of the anganwadi workers should be regularised in Grade III posts and those of the helpers in Grade IV posts; pending this, they should be paid wages at par with Grade III and Grade IV government employees.

• The local bodies should be directed to recognise the records of birth provided by the anganwadi workers as valid for the purpose of issuing birth certificates.

• Primary schools should be directed to recognise the certificates issued by the anganwadi workers as transfer certificates, while admitting the children leaving an anganwadi, in their schools.

• Anganwadi centres should be developed into centres for promotion of awareness among women against superstitions, to promote scientific temperament; to create awareness on women’s rights, against domestic violence, sati, against child marriages, dowry, sexual harassment, killings in the name of witches etc. This awareness will help in women’s empowerment.

• Anganwadi centres should help create awareness against discriminatory social practices like untouchability and other forms of social oppression and against child labour, which is widely prevalent in rural areas.