The Central Government on June 4, 2020, has set up a Task Force to examine matters pertaining to age of motherhood, imperatives of lowering MMR, improvement of nutritional levels and related issues.
The Task Force to be headed by Ms. Jaya Jaitly and will submit its report by 31st July, 2020. Other members of the task force are: Dr. Vinod Paul (Niti Aayog), Secretary Health and Family Welfare Ministry , Secretary Women & Child Development Ministry, Secretary Department of Higher Education, Secretary Department of School Education & Literacy, Secretary Legislative Department, Ms. Najma Akhtar, Ms. Vasudha Kamath and Dr. Dipti Shah (Gujarat).
Objectives of Task Force
- To examine the correlation of age of marriage and motherhood with (a) health, medical well-being and nutritional status of mother and neonate/infant/child, during pregnancy, birth and thereafter, (b) key parameters like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), Child Sex Ratio (CSR) etc. and (c) any other relevant points pertaining to health and nutrition in this context.
- To suggest measures for promoting higher education among women.
- To suggest suitable legislative instruments and/or amendments in existing laws to support the recommendations of the Task Force.
- To work out a detailed roll-out plan with timelines to implement the recommendations of the Task Force.
- The Task Force may invite other experts to its meetings if and as required.
- The Task Force will be provided secretarial assistance by the NITI Aayog and will submit its report by 31st July, 2020.
