Recommendations for Odisha State Policy for Girl Child and Women Health and Well being

Thrust Area	Issues / Concerns / Barriers	Recommendations
Health and Well being	Maternal health and nutrition Maternity Benefits and entitlements	·           The Public Distribution System must be made universal with protein items included ·          As per the final NFSA, it is mentioned under Chapter  II PROVISIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY, clause 4,  Subject to such schemes as may be framed by the Central Government, every pregnant woman and lactating mother shall be entitled to— (a) meal, free of charge, during pregnancy and six months after the child birth,  through the local anganwadi, so as to meet the nutritional standards specified in Schedule II; and (b) maternity benefit of not less than rupees six thousand, in such instalments as may be prescribed by the Central Government: Provided that all pregnant women and lactating mothers in regular employment with the Central Government or State Governments or Public Sector Undertakings or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force shall not be entitled to benefits specified in clause ·         Universal health care coverage should be provided to all women to protect them from devastating out of pocket expenses ·         Regularize Village and Health Nutrition Day (VHND) and ensure that they provide women with full ANC including per abdomen examination, checking hemoglobin, weight and blood pressure, TT injection, IFA tablets, counseling on diet, rest, birth planning & complication readiness ·      Maternity entitlements should be unconditional - the Age Eligibility and Parity Criteria should be done away with in Mamata Scheme ·       Maternity benefit should be linked to wages foregone, they should not be arbitrarily fixed, rather they should be compiled on the basis of highest minimum wages and should be periodically reviewed ·          Maternity Benefits should be provided for 9 months (beginning from the third trimester of pregnancy till six months after birth) to enable women to rest before pregnancy and promote six months of exclusive breastfeeding
Livelihood, Employment and Work	·  Absence of crèche facilities ·  Loss of wage during pregnancy months ·  Money is not disbursed in regular installments ·  Lack of availability of channels for grievance redress system	·      Free Crèche facilities be made mandatory in communities and the workplace ·       Setup easily accessible Grievance Redress  Mechanisms