About the Poshan Abhiyaan
- The aim of POSHAN Abhiyaan is to address malnutrition amongst young children (under 6 years of age).
- It also aims to improve nutritional outcomes for pregnant women and lactating mothers by focusing on prenatal care, diet and optimal breastfeeding.
- Month-long activities under Poshan Maah also focus on issues such as Right age to marriage, girls education, hygiene and sanitation, anemia prevention, etc.
- To ensure that children are not vitamin deficient, food fortification is also addressed.
- To promote changes in knowledge, norms and beliefs by the strategic use of communication. The activities organised are focused on Social and Behavioural change communication (SBCC). Also these activities are based under Jan Andolan guidelines.
Rashtriya Poshan Maah
The Government of India designated the month of September of every year as the POSHAN MAAH or National Nutrition Month. The Poshan Abhiyaan was launched with a broad gauge aim of Holistic Nourishment. Globally, it was first launched in 1973 by the American Dietetic Association to educate people on nutrition. In 1982, India launched the concept of National Nutrition Week for awareness towards nutrition. Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyaan was launched by the honourable PM on the International Women’s Day on 8th March 2018 under the Ministry of Women & Child Development. The word ‘Poshan‘ in Rashtriya Poshan Maah implies ‘Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition.
Difference between the ‘Poshan Maah’ and ‘Poshan Abhiyaan‘: POSHAN ABHIYAAN is a Government of India’s ‘National Nutrition Mission’ whereas POSHAN MAAH includes month-long activities under Poshan Abhiyaan. These activities are focused on prenatal care, optimal breastfeeding, girls’ education, hygiene, etc.
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