Consultation on Nutrition Governance and Child Care in Karnataka | By Centre for Child and the Law, NLSIU
August 30, 2025
The Centre for Child and the Law (CCL), National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, in collaboration with Child Rights and You (CRY) and Forum for Crèches and Childcare Services (FORCES), organised a state-level consultation on Nutrition Governance and Child Care in Karnataka on August 30, 2025 at the NLSIU Training Centre. The hybrid consultation brought together civil society organisations, community women leaders, researchers, domain experts and practitioners to share insights and strategies for advancing early childcare, child rights and nutrition governance under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
About the Consultation
The first session focussed on the Rights-Based Nutrition Governance Model being demonstrated in two Gram Panchayats of Ramanagara. CCL presented its findings from a baseline study, highlighting gaps in NFSA implementation and the need for stronger accountability and grievance redressal mechanisms. Community women leaders – including Gram Panchayat representatives, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, ASHA workers, and Kusinamane (crèche) caretakers – shared practical challenges in accessing entitlements and stressed the role of local participation in strengthening governance. CSO representatives added their experiences from other districts, underlining systemic issues and the scope for replicating the model across Karnataka.
The second session presented findings from a state-wide study on childcare models undertaken by CCL and FORCES. Alongside discussions on strengthening ICDS and expanding community-based crèches, a draft of the Karnataka State Food Security Rules was shared for advocacy and collective inputs. Participants also agreed to form a drafting committee for a proposed law on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) for children under six years – a significant step towards institutionalising childcare rights in Karnataka. CSO partners and grassroots leaders enriched the discussion with their observations from the field. The consultation concluded with a Karnataka FORCES partners’ meeting, where members reaffirmed their commitment to collective advocacy for robust nutrition governance and quality childcare.
The consultation event generated a shared vision to advance rights-based approaches, deepen collaborations, and build a future roadmap for child nutrition and care in Karnataka.
Key Next Step
A drafting committee on ECCD was formed to prepare a law for children under six years, marking an important milestone for child rights in Karnataka.