Jind and Jhajjar included in Thematic Convergence Project

by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, OCT 22

With a view to improving sex ratio between the age group of zero to six years, district Jind and Jhajjar of Haryana have been included in the pilot project known as ‘Thematic Convergence Project’ started in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).        

          While stating this today, Director General, Women and Child Development Department,Haryana, Mrs. Sumita Misra said that census 2011 reported 914 females per 1000 males in the age group of 0-6 years in the country. This being an issue of concern and while recognizing the urgent need for action to improve the sex ratio, she said,the Central Government decided to initiate district level action plan for improving child sex ratio through the Gram Panchayats.

          She said that Union Women and Child Development Minister, Mrs. Krishna Tirath recently inaugurated this Thematic Convergence Project in New Delhi. She said that apart from Haryana, the scheme was implemented in 12 districts of other states namely Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Orissa, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.

          She said that District Gender Convergence Officers would be appointed in the seven states earmarked under the scheme. She said that the purpose of the National Mission for Empowerment of Women was to ensure empowerment of women through convergence of schemes and activities at Central and State level through setting up of National and State Mission Authorities (SMA) and State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW).

          The Gender Convergence Officer (GCO) at the district level would coordinate with different departments and other stakeholders at the district level, block and village level for mainstreaming convergence on the issue of Child Sex Ratio (CSR). He would be actively engaged with selected Gram Panchayats and extend support to PRI members in organizing special Gram Sabha, facilitate preparation of agenda and analysis of data to disseminate and discuss the core issue. He would coordinate with women groups, CBOs and local authorities to enhance understanding of CSR and gender issues.

          The GCO will also liaise and communicate with members of Village Health Nutrition and Sanitation Committee to ensure their involvement and ownership in the programme. He would organize and facilitate meetings of the various committees at district, block and village level and workshop for elected representatives. Also, he would identify and implement appropriate monitoring mechanisms for the smooth implementation of the programme, including follow-up on the performance of the pilot project and timely reporting. She said that women candidates would be preferred for the post of GCO.