Panel 7

Respecting the rights of the Indian child

Childcare centres, play and learning centres, health centres, meeting places for women and mothers — India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a holistic early childhood and development programme that addresses the interrelated needs of children, adolescent girls and women from disadvantaged communities. Begun in 1975 and now one of the world’s largest networks of integrated family and community services, ICDS reaches out to 4.8 million expectant and nursing mothers and 22.9 million children under six years of age.

Source: Chart adapted from Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, p.17.

Photo Credits:
First line, left to right: UNICEF/98-0766/Frank Fournier; UNICEF/92-0663/Vilas; UNICEF/96-0166/Dominica.
Second line, left to right: All credits to UNICEF India/Gurinder Osan.
Third line, left to right: UNICEF/92-0917/Siddharth Dube; UNICEF India/Gurinder Osan; UNICEF India/Gurinder Osan; UNICEF India/Gurinder Osan.