Ranchi: The Food Nutrition Health and Wash initiative, which started in just four blocks in 2014, has now expanded its coverage to 263 blocks across the state in 2025, underscoring the growing role of women’s collectives in grassroots health and sanitation initiatives. This figure was highlighted during a two-day regional workshop on “Towards a Healthy Future: Food, Nutrition, Health and Wash (FNHW)” which concluded on Wednesday. Jointly hosted by the ministry of rural development (MoRD) and the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), the workshop brought together delegates and officials from 14 states including Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana and others. On the occasion, minister Deepika Pandey Singh said, “The 3.2 million rural women associated with SHGs in the state are becoming the real agents of change in villages. Women’s health is not just a social indicator but a mirror of economic development.” Pandey emphasised empowering women through schemes like Sarvajan Pension Yojana, Maiyyan Samman Yojana, and Abua Awas, implemented at scale via women’s groups.The minister called for integrated efforts among schemes like MGNREGA, Jal Jeevan Mission, Anganwadi Services, and Panchayats to maximise the impact on health, nutrition, and sanitation.Deputy secretary of MoRD, Monika, discussed innovative approaches such as nutrition gardens, peer counselling, the Jashn initiative, and documentation techniques, offering insights for better programme implementation at the state level.Joint secretary, MoRD, Smriti Sharan, said, “Nearly 2,00,000 FNHW cadres are now active across the country, with Jharkhand making significant strides. Participants undertook field visits to 14 districts to observe model interventions which would help replicate impactful practices across states.”Secretary, rural development department, K Sreenivasan, said, “Key initiatives such as Phulo-Jhano Ashirwad Yojana, Dakiya Yojana (for doorstep delivery of rations to PVTGs), and Johar Project, are helping transform women’s lives.”
