Role of India's Anganwadi Center in Securing Food and Nutrition for Mothers and Children

India's 2013 National Food Security Act identifies Anganwadi centers (the courtyard shelter) as responsible for ensuring the food and nutrition for mothers and children. This article proposes four essential reforms that must take place to revitalize the languishing Anganwadi system: (a) strengthen implementation of the Integrated Child and Development Services (ICDS) through greater outreach and education; (b) boost incentives for Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi health workers; (c) bring together different government stakeholders to provide the integrative framework needed; and (d) improve monitoring and evaluation of Anganwadis so as to better gauge not just performance of workers, but also health and nutrition outcomes among women and children.