Content:
- Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025
- International Women’s Day 2025
Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025
Introduction
- Jan Aushadhi Diwas (March 7th): Raises awareness about affordable generic medicines.
- Week-long celebration (March 1st – 7th): Organized nationwide to promote Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
- PMBJP (2008): By the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at lower costs through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).
Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Schemes )
Objectives of PMBJP
- Affordable Healthcare: Ensures availability of quality medicines at reduced prices.
- Awareness Generation: Educates people on the benefits of generic medicines.
- Encouraging Generic Prescriptions: Motivates doctors in government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Provides essential medicines, particularly for marginalized sections.
- Bridging the Affordability Gap: Despite India being a major generic medicine exporter, local affordability remains a challenge.
Major Initiatives under PMBJP
- Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins:
- Launched on August 27, 2019.
- Priced at ₹1 per pad.
- Over 72 crore pads sold as of January 31, 2025.
- Available across 15,000+ PMBJP Kendras.
- Jan Aushadhi SUGAM App (August 2019):
- Helps locate nearby Janaushadhi Kendras.
- Enables price comparison between branded and generic medicines.
Features of PMBJP
- Government-Private Collaboration: Operated by both government agencies and private entrepreneurs.
- Lower Prices: Generic medicines are 50%-80% cheaper than branded alternatives.
- Strict Quality Control:
- Procured from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers.
- Batch testing done at NABL-accredited labs.
- Financial Incentives:
- Up to ₹20,000/month incentive (20% of monthly purchases).
- ₹2 lakh one-time grant for new Kendras in remote/hilly areas and for entrepreneurs from marginalized groups (women, SC/ST, ex-servicemen, Divyang).
Growth & Expansion
- Rapid Increase in Kendras: Over 15,000 operational across all districts.
- Wider Medicine & Surgical Equipment Range: Expanding product portfolio to cover diverse medical needs.
Conclusion
- PMBJP’s Impact:
- Making healthcare affordable and accessible.
- Creating employment opportunities through self-sustainable Kendras.
- Future Outlook:
- Continued government push for generic medicine adoption.
- Strengthening public health and boosting entrepreneurship in India.
International Women’s Day 2025
Introduction
- International Women’s Day (March 8) celebrates women’s achievements globally.
- Theme for 2025: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” – Focuses on inclusion and equal opportunities.
- 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration (1995) – Landmark document advancing women’s rights.
- India’s Approach: Shift from women’s development to women-led development—ensuring active participation in socio-economic growth.
Relevance : GS 1(Society ) ,GS 2(Social Justice)
Constitutional & Legal Framework for Gender Equality
- Key Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 14: Equality before the law.
- Article 15: Prohibits gender-based discrimination.
- Article 39 & 42: Equal pay, maternity relief.
- Article 51(a)(e): Promotes dignity for women.
- International Commitments:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979).
- Beijing Declaration & Platform for Action (1995).
- Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
Government Schemes for Women’s Upliftment
A. Education
- Right to Free & Compulsory Education Act (2009) – Ensures access to schooling.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) – Improves child sex ratio, promotes girls’ education.
- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan – Enhances infrastructure, girl-friendly facilities.
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 – Focus on gender inclusion.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools – Supports tribal girls’ education.
- Key Statistics:
- Female Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) surpasses male GER since 2017-18.
- Female enrolment in higher education (2021-22): 2.07 crore (50% of total).
- Women in STEM: 42.57% (41.9 lakh) of total enrolment.
- STEM Initiatives:
- Vigyan Jyoti (2020) – Promotes STEM for girls in underrepresented areas.
- Overseas Fellowship Scheme – Supports women scientists.
- SWAYAM, SWAYAM PRABHA – Ensures online learning.
B. Health & Nutrition
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) – ₹17,362 crore disbursed to 3.81 crore women (Jan 2025).
- Maternal & Child Health Improvements:
- MMR reduced from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20).
- U5MR dropped from 43 (2015) to 32 (2020).
- Women’s life expectancy increased to 71.4 years (2016-20), projected 74.7 (2031-36).
- Sanitation & Nutrition Initiatives:
- Jal Jeevan Mission: 15.4 crore households receive potable water.
- Swachh Bharat Mission: 11.8 crore toilets built.
- Poshan Abhiyaan: Strengthens maternal-child nutrition.
- Ujjwala Yojana: 10.3 crore clean cooking gas connections.
C. Economic Empowerment & Financial Inclusion
- Women’s participation in household decisions increased from 84% (2015) to 88.7% (2020).
- Financial Inclusion:
- PM Jan Dhan Yojana: 30.46 crore accounts (55% women-owned).
- MUDRA Scheme: 69% of microloans sanctioned to women entrepreneurs.
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs): 10 crore women in 9 million SHGs.
- Bank Sakhis Model: 6,094 women processed $40 million in transactions (2020).
- Employment & Leadership:
- Women in Armed Forces: Entry into NDA, combat roles, and Sainik Schools.
- Civil Aviation: 15% women pilots (global avg: 5%).
- Working Women’s Hostels: 523 hostels benefiting 26,306 women.
- Startups & Entrepreneurship:
- 10% of SIDBI funds reserved for women-led startups.
D. Digital & Technological Empowerment
- Digital India Initiatives:
- PMGDISHA: 60 million rural citizens trained in digital literacy.
- Common Service Centres (CSCs): 67,000 women entrepreneurs running digital service centers.
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) – Digital healthcare inclusion.
- SANKALP Hubs: Operating in 742 districts across 35 States/UTs.
- Fintech & E-commerce:
- Aadhaar-linked banking for financial security.
- Women entrepreneurs supported on government e-marketplaces.
E. Safety & Protection
- Key Legal Provisions:
- Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018: Stronger penalties for crimes against women.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
- Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013.
- POCSO Act, 2012: Strengthened child safety laws.
- Ban on Triple Talaq (2019).
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
- Nirbhaya Fund (₹11,298 crore allocated):
- One Stop Centres (OSCs): 802 centers assisting 1 million women.
- Emergency Response Support System (ERSS – 112): 38.34 crore calls handled.
- Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): 750 courts, 408 for POCSO cases.
- Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) for online harassment cases.
- Safe City Projects: Implemented in 8 cities.
- Women Help Desks: 14,658 across police stations (13,743 led by women officers).
- Institutional & Legislative Reforms:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Strengthens gender justice provisions.
- 33% reservation for women in CAPFs.
- Nari Adalat: Women-led dispute resolution in Assam & J&K, now expanding.
Conclusion
- India has witnessed significant progress in women’s empowerment across education, health, economy, digital access, and safety.
- Government schemes and legal frameworks have reduced gender disparities and improved women’s participation in nation-building.
- On International Women’s Day 2025, it is crucial to continue efforts for an inclusive, gender-equal society where women lead in all spheres of life.
