Page 202 - economic review

SOCIAL SERVICE174

Psycho Social Services for Adolescent Girls

4.157 The scheme provides counseling and guidance support to adolescent girls. So far the
counseling facilities had been covered in 500 schools across the state.

3. Child Survival and Nutrition

4.158 Infant mortality and undernutrition are two major distress of child survival. As per NFHS-3,
Kerala along with Goa has the lowest infant mortality rate in the country (15 deaths before the age
of 1 year per 1000 live births). Although Kerala ranks first in infant mortality, the report of National
Institute of Nutrition in 2013 reveals the IMR in Attappadi block was 66 as compared to 14 deaths per
1000 live births in the rest of the state.

4.159 In Kerala, children under 3 years who are underweight are about 21 percent (NFHS-3) which
is better than any other states in the country. However, malnutrition among children in Palakkad,
Kozhikkode and Kasargod is higher compared to other districts. Kerala ranks third (NFHS-3) among
all states in full immunization coverage. But 1/4th of children age 12-23 months in Kerala have
not received all the recommended vaccinations. Between NFHS-2 and NFHS-3, the percentage of
waisted (low weight for height) in less than 3 years increased from 13 to 16.

Early Childhood Care and Education Policy, 2013

4.160 As part of the policy, GOI lays down a comprehensive approach towards ensuring a sound
foundation of survival, growth and development of child with focus on care and early learning for
every child. It recognizes the synergistic and interdependent relationship between health, nutrition,
psycho-social and emotional needs of the child.

4. Child Participation

4.161 Rights to participation provide children with an environment to participate in decision making
processes and to give them an opportunity to express their views freely. Organizing Bal Panchayats
is considered one of the most effective and unique means of promoting child participation with
maximum outreach. Hence priority will be given to increase the level of child participation and create
mechanisms to facilitate the incorporation of children’s views into mainstream policy-making and
programmes.

Child Participation Programmes in Kerala

4.162 Kerala’s model of Bala Sabha, Balasamathis and Bala Panchayat is a neighborhood network
of children in LSGIs under Kudumbasree for the holistic development of children. Protection of child
rights, cultivating creative potential in children, identifying and nurturing their inmates talent are the
prime objectives of the programme. In the state 37426 Bala Sabhas has been constituted up to
September, 2013.

Kerala State Planning Board