Women and Child Development Department Develops Long-Term Collaboration Strategy with Industries
RAIPUR, Chhattisgarh (India CSR): The Chhattisgarh Women and Child Development Department has launched an important initiative to accelerate nutrition, child development and women’s empowerment programmes through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships. A state-level meeting was held at the Circuit House in Civil Lines, Raipur, bringing together departmental officials and representatives of various industrial organisations. The meeting focused on developing a long-term collaboration strategy for effectively implementing the department’s programmes across the state.
Chairing the meeting, Women and Child Development Department Principal Secretary Shahla Nigar said the holistic development of women and children remained among the state government’s highest priorities. She highlighted the importance of the social participation of industries in improving the reach and effectiveness of government programmes.
Nigar said CSR partnerships could provide fresh momentum to nutrition, early childhood care, women’s empowerment, strengthening of Anganwadi centres and innovation-based activities. Calling upon industries to develop long-term partnerships with the department, she said, “With your cooperation, we will build a Golden Chhattisgarh.”
“With your cooperation, we will build a Golden Chhattisgarh,” says Principal Secretary Shahla Nigar
Three Priority Areas
Women and Child Development Department Director Dr. Renuka Srivastava said the department was continuously working across three major areas—women’s empowerment, child protection, and children’s health and nutrition. She said CSR support could help improve basic infrastructure at Anganwadi centres and provide quality learning materials, digital resources, nutrition support, safe drinking water, sports materials and sanitation facilities. CSR partnerships could also support the expansion of innovation-based activities designed to improve learning, health and development outcomes among children.
Proposed CSR Projects
During the meeting, the department delivered a detailed presentation on potential CSR projects that could be undertaken in partnership with industries. The proposed areas included the eradication of malnutrition, modernisation of Anganwadi centres, development of nutrition gardens and plantation of Moringa trees. Other priorities included early childhood development activities, disability-friendly facilities, health and nutrition programmes for adolescent girls and capacity-building initiatives.
Representatives of participating industries expressed interest in the proposals and shared their suggestions regarding potential areas of cooperation under different government programmes. It was decided that the department and industrial organisations would establish regular coordination to identify priority areas. CSR projects would subsequently be implemented in a phased manner.
Beyond Infrastructure
The meeting particularly emphasised that CSR cooperation would not remain limited to infrastructure development. The proposed partnerships would also promote children’s holistic development, quality early childhood education, nutrition, digital empowerment, innovation and community participation. The department will develop an effective system for regular dialogue, coordination and review with participating industries. This mechanism is expected to facilitate better project planning, implementation and monitoring. The initiative seeks to create a structured platform through which corporate resources and expertise can be aligned with the state’s development priorities for women and children.
CSR Coordination Platforms
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has developed the ‘Pankhuri’ portal to promote CSR cooperation in programmes related to women and children. The Chhattisgarh government is also operating the ‘SAR’ or State CSR portal to facilitate better coordination between departmental priorities and CSR projects.
Through these platforms and sustained engagement with industries, the department aims to mobilise long-term corporate participation in nutrition, child development, women’s empowerment and community-based interventions across Chhattisgarh.
