Empowered by tech, driven by purpose: Annapurna Devi on transforming women and child development

Ranchi, Jul 7 (PTI) From smartphones to specialised apps, and from anganwadi centres to Parliament, digital systems are rapidly transforming the landscape of women and child welfare in the country — making service delivery faster, more transparent, and accessible, Union Minister Annapurna Devi said.

In an interview with PTI, Devi reflected on her 28-year-long political journey — from a grieving young homemaker with three small children to a central voice for women’s rights on global platforms — and underscored the significant strides Indian women have made 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 told PTI.

The Poshan app, now integrated with home visit data for children under three and video-based learning modules for children aged 3–6, was recently recognised nationally on Civil Services Day.

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

The Ministry is also expanding women’s safety networks through One-Stop centres, 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 said.

On legal reforms, the minister emphasised that stricter enforcement of the POCSO Act, functional internal complaints committees across sectors for working women, and BNS laws 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," she said, adding that decentralisation will result in better outcomes.

Reflecting on her personal journey, Devi recalled how politics was never on the cards for her as a homemaker and how her life took a dramatic turn when her husband, Ramesh Yadav, an RJD legislator, died suddenly in 1998.

"I had three very young children — just one, two-and-a-half, and four. I was in shock when people said, ‘You will lead us now.’ I had no public experience, but their belief gave me strength," she added.

She contested the Bihar Assembly bypoll from Koderma, won four times, and served as a minister. later, she also served as a minister in Jharkhand.

"Understanding how politics works was the biggest challenge. But I learned. Very few women were in politics back then. My mother raised my children while I worked. Women have the strength to balance both worlds," he added.

On shifting from RJD to BJP, she says it was a personal decision.

"RJD had minimal presence in Jharkhand. Joining the BJP was supported by my family. The people of Koderma always stood by me," the minister said.

In 2021, Devi was inducted into the Union government as minister of state for education on July 7.

Her defection to the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was a defining moment in her career.

Contesting from Koderma on a BJP ticket, she left a significant mark, having earlier served as the RJD’s Jharkhand state chief and a close aide to party supremo Lalu Prasad.

She observed that societal attitudes have undergone a sea change since she first entered politics.

"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 added.

On tackling trafficking, especially in states like Jharkhand, she said the ministry is strengthening the 1098 Child helpine, and establishing help desks at transport hubs.

Under the Safe City Project and Nirbhaya Fund, public spaces are being secured with panic buttons, pink autos, toilets, and better lighting, he added.

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

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