Annapurna Devi: Digital Tools Uplifting Women's Welfare in India

Ranchi, Jul 7 (PTI) Digital systems are revolutionizing women's and child welfare initiatives across India, as highlighted by Union Minister Annapurna Devi. From smartphones to specialised apps, and from anganwadi centres to Parliament, these advancements are making service delivery faster, more transparent, and accessible.

In an interview with PTI, Devi shared insights from her 28-year political journey, spanning from a young homemaker with three small children to a central advocate for women's rights globally. She emphasized the substantial progress Indian women have achieved over the years.

"Earlier, everything was manual—it was tough. But now, with tools like the Poshan Tracker app, anganwadi workers can instantly log beneficiary details, avoid duplication, and ensure accountability. We’ve provided them with smartphones to ease their work and curb the leakages that were common earlier," Devi stated.

The Poshan app, celebrated nationally on Civil Services Day, is now integrated with home visit data for children under three and video-based learning for ages 3–6.

"Under the Digital Bharat Abhiyan, several states have achieved 100 percent real-time tracking using facial recognition," said Devi, the Union Women and Child Development Minister.

The Ministry is expanding women's safety networks with One-Stop centres, the 181 helpline, and temporary shelters, while Mission Vatsalya supports care homes for abandoned and orphaned children. "We’re reaching over 10 crore beneficiaries, including 14 lakh anganwadi workers," she noted.

Discussing legal reforms, the minister highlighted the enforcement of the POCSO Act, functional internal complaints committees for working women, and BNS laws, which are strengthening justice delivery. "Fast-track courts are being set up, and states have been asked to empower panchayats to prevent child marriages under Bal Vivah Mukta Abhiyan," Devi said, advocating for decentralised efforts.

Reflecting on her personal journey, Devi recounted the unexpected entry into politics following her husband Ramesh Yadav's sudden death in 1998. "I had three very young children and was in shock when people said, 'You will lead us now.' I had no public experience, but their belief gave me strength," she said, recounting her victories in Bihar Assembly bypolls and tenure as a minister in Jharkhand.

Understanding the political landscape was a major challenge, she revealed. "Very few women were in politics back then. My mother raised my children while I worked. Women have the strength to balance both worlds," she added. Her shift from RJD to BJP was a personal decision, supported by her family, especially as RJD had minimal presence in Jharkhand. "The people of Koderma always stood by me," she remarked.

Devi's political career saw a defining moment in 2019 when she joined the BJP, contesting from Koderma on a BJP ticket after previously serving as the RJD's Jharkhand state chief. She acknowledged the transformative change in societal attitudes since her political debut. "In 1998, parents discouraged daughters from reporting harassment. Today, they stand with them. Girls say, we won’t be silenced. Social media has brought more awareness and accountability," she noted.

Regarding trafficking, particularly in states like Jharkhand, the ministry is bolstering the 1098 Child helpline and setting up help desks at transport hubs. Through the Safe City Project and Nirbhaya Fund, public spaces are being secured with panic buttons, pink autos, better lighting, and toilets, according to Devi.

She also emphasized the decentralised implementation of child protection laws through Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Juvenile Justice Boards, with increased involvement from district magistrates and child protection officers.

"My journey proves — if a woman believes in herself and gets people’s support, she can overcome anything," she asserted.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)