Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the valedictory session of the two-day National Departmental Summit on Women and Child Development at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan on October 9, 2026. The summit brought together Ministers and senior officials from States and Union Territories for focused deliberations on nutrition and early childhood care, child protection, women's safety and empowerment, and strengthening service delivery through greater convergence.
The Prime Minister emphasized collaborative decision-making between Centre and States and suggested extending this model through Chintan Shivirs at district, Nagar Palika, and Mahanagar Palika levels. He specifically recommended dedicated Chintan Shivirs for Anganwadi Workers to enable experience sharing and practical solution exchange.
Key initiatives proposed include transforming Anganwadi Centres into community participation hubs rather than isolated institutions, with families encouraged to contribute nutritious food, toys, and locally relevant items on special occasions. The PM called for universities to adopt nearby Anganwadi Centres and undertake social-impact studies, creating student contribution opportunities while generating insights for service improvement. Medical students, NSS, and NCC volunteers were suggested for association with these centers.
On women's safety, the Prime Minister emphasized preventive actions through departmental convergence and suggested developing age-appropriate modules for children on women's safety, dignity, and empowerment. He highlighted the relationship between cleanliness, health and nutrition, calling upon Women and Child Development Departments to take active ownership of Swachhata Abhiyan, noting that good health and nutrition begin with cleanliness.
The PM also promoted national movements like Vocal for Local and One District One Product (ODOP) for women's empowerment, suggesting women's collectives and community institutions could strengthen local products, livelihoods, and economic empowerment. He emphasized that the Ministry and its state counterparts handle one of the largest societal segments, with today's Anganwadi children becoming the youth who build Viksit Bharat.