With more than a one-third (37%) of its population below the age of 18, India has the largest pool of children population in the world. Though we have made significant progress towards ensuring basic rights of children in terms of basic health facilities, education, etc., efforts are still required to achieve commitments made under MDGs and now possibly under SDGs. Investing in the development of this 37% population is key to India’s future development. Many states in the country are putting special emphasis for the sustainable development of children and Chhattisgarh is one such state.
In Chhattisgarh, children account for 44% of the total population. Among these, 14% are in the age group of 0-6 years. In order to ensure inclusive and sustainable development of children it is important to involve community, panchayats and urban local bodies in the planning process. For decentralised development planning, it is imperative to understand what has to be done to improve the nutrition, health, education and sanitation status of the children populationat the block, panchayat, urban local body and District Planning Committee (DPC) levels.
This participatory research aims to mainstream health and nutrition of children in decentralised development planning in Chhattisgarh by:
• comprehensively understanding the current development approaches across health, nutrition, education and sanitation at the grassroots,
• identifying gaps,
• finding possible corrective measures,
• piloting integrated peoples’ planning, and
• advocating for appropriate replications and scale-up.
The research is an opportunity to showcase the success of local governments in better delivery of services and governance to its people in the development block. This could be a model for the state as well for the country.
Objectives
a) To understand and analyse the situation of children in the 0-18 years age group with regards to the realisation of their rights and entitlements on health, nutrition, education and sanitation practices
b) To identify critical factors influencing nutritional and health status of children in the 0-6 year age group
c) To understand the role and responsibilities of local-self-governance institutions vis-à-vis planning and implementing actions that promote development of children
d) To understand the present planning and implementation mechanisms adopted by institutions of local self-governance including levels of community participation
e) Develop IEC material and social media strategy on local self-governance
f) Evolve an intervention strategy for 2 years (Jan 2016 – Dec 2017) to act upon the critical factors identified above.
Geographical spread
For the purpose of the present intervention Nagri block in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh has been selected. Nagri block has the lowest child development indicators within the district. It has 98 gram panchayats and 235 habited villages and nagar panchayats comprising 15 wards. As per 2011 census, total population of the block is 179,505. Children in the age group of 0-6 comprise 13 per cent of the block’s population. Nagri is a tribal block and the Schedule Tribe population is 61 per cent.
Methodology/Key components
This is a participatory research project to study the understand and analyse the situation of children in the 0-18 years age group with regards to the realisation of their rights and entitlements on health, nutrition, education and sanitation practices. It will identify critical factors influencing nutritional and health status of children in the 0-6 year age group. The project will also identify roles and responsibilities of local-self-governance institutions vis-à-vis planning and implementing actions, including levels of community participation, to promote development of children. This will be critical input in preparing the planning and implementation mechanisms to be adopted by institutions of local self-governance.
Key outputs/Deliverables
a) Study report
b) IEC Material
c) Intervention Strategy for next phase of the project
Impact
The assessment study will provide a roadmap to move forward and plan intervention strategies to work with different sets of stakeholders in the next phase of the project.
Year/Period
November 2015- March 2016
Client
UNICEF, State Office for Chhattisgarh
