Anganwadi Workers In India - Women Teaching Women

Anganwadi work in rural India has proven to be a beacon of hope for women. Under the Integrated Child Development System, an Anganwadi worker is trained as a para-professional to provide children with basic health care, nutrition and pre-school education.  They do routine health check ups on children including administering immunizations.  They also teach women about proper nutrition, sanitation and childcare skills. 

In the Rajasthan region of India these government centers have motivated women to bring changes in the lives of their families and communities. Poverty, ignorance and a patriarchal mindset often leave women in rural India in despair and apathy. Learning to become an Anganwadi worker gives women a fresh start towards self-reliance and knowledge.

This is one story of the value of this system.  Becoming an Anganwadi worker not only saved Kalini’s life, but also helped her to make sure her children were educated and had a good future to look forward to.  Kalini became a young widow at 23.  She became the sole guardian and breadwinner for her family of three boys, the youngest a three month old. Tied down by sorrow and economic hardship, Kalini became an Anganwadi worker in her village to earn money.

Very soon she realized that being an Anganwadi worker was much more than just a job. It gave her the opportunity to meet other women and interact with them.  This support group helped her to overcome the grief over the loss of her husband.  Her new job helped Kalini to become self-assured, secure and experience happiness once again.

The Anganwadi training taught Kalini about health care, hygiene and sanitation.  The skills she learned helped the people in her village and also helped her to improve the standard of living for her family.  Kalini is proud of the responsibility that she carries and how the villagers respect her.