The Status of Anganwadi Workers in Delhi

In 2017, the Government of India launched the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), also known as POSHAN Abhiyan, to enhance nutritional levels among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Under NNM, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) were incentivised to use IT-based tools and height measurement of children was introduced at Anganwadi centre.

As honorary workers who volunteer their services, Anganwadi Workers have the provision of a monthly honorarium determined by the Government of India. AWWs at main Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are paid Rs 4,500 per month, while those at mini-AWCs receive Rs 3,500 per month. This is cited in the report from a question raised in Lok Sabha in 2019.

Additionally, under the POSHAN Abhiyan or National Nutrition Mission, AWWs are provided with a performance-linked incentive of Rs 500 per month, along with other monetary incentives from States and Union Territories.

The report found that a majority (87 per cent) of the surveyed AWWs were over 35 years of age, with approximately 46 per cent holding at least a graduate degree. Over 97 per cent of the respondents reported receiving between INR 5,000-10,000 for their work in the AWCs.

Around 68 per cent of the respondents depended on their AWC job and did not have an additional source of income. Only about 10 per cent had access to government pension, while nearly 66 per cent indicated they would rely on personal savings post-retirement.

The survey revealed that 68 per cent of the respondents have a voice in household income decisions, while around 13 per cent are never involved.

Approximately 66 per cent of the AWWs were not part of the Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers' Union, with nearly 21 per cent unaware of the Union.

The survey also found that 92 per cent AWWs did not have medical insurance coverage and only around 5 per cent were provided with masks during the winter smog in 2019.

About 58 per cent of the workers expressed feeling inadequately funded to manage daily activities in an Anganwadi Centre, with about 63 per cent resorting to personal contributions during financial shortages.

The report states that AWWs are entitled to receive 180 days of paid maternity leave and insurance coverage under several schemes: Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana for workers aged 18-50 years, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for those aged 18-59 years, and Anganwadi Karyakarta Bima Yojana for workers aged 53-59 years. It adds that just over 28 per cent of the workers are utilising these government provisions.

About one-third of the respondents reported earning less than their monthly expenses. These findings highlight the economic instability experienced by Anganwadi Workers, despite their crucial role in India's national nutrition mission.

The report states that the Integrated Child Development Services programme encompasses over 8.4 crore children under the age of 6 years and more than 1.91 crore pregnant and lactating mothers across the country. It operates through 7,076 sanctioned projects and is implemented in over 14 lakh AWCs.

Focus and Factoids by Arunima Mandwariya. 

PARI Library's health archive project is part of an initiative supported by the Azim Premji University to develop a free-access repository of health-related reports relevant to rural India.