The New Delhi-based Forum for
Creche and Childcare Services
(FOCUS), a network of 47 organisations, has launched a campaign to
highlight the need for childcare support for women working in the
unorganised sector. According to
FOCUS, 60 million children belonging to women in this sector need
daycare facilities, while the government -supported schemes reach barely
300,000. "Intervention in the early
years is critical because it shapes the
physical, mental, social and emotional development of the child,"
said FOCUS member, Devika Singh.
Part of FOCUS's agenda is bringing
the issue to the notice of all national
and state-level political parties. The
group seeks to bring about the inclusion of a policy on the young child in
manifestoes of political parties for
the forthcoming elections.
