Content :
- The under-representation of women in the judiciary
- Solar, a game changer in women’s empowerment
- Tackling learning disabilities head-on
The Under-Representation of Women in the Judiciary
Context: Despite progress at entry levels, women remain significantly under-represented in higher judiciary roles, highlighting systemic barriers and a persistent “funnel effect” that hinders advancement.
Relevance: GS 2 (Indian Judiciary, Social Justice )
Practice Question: Discuss the major challenges contributing to the under-representation of women in the Indian judiciary and suggest measures that could improve female representation.(250 words)
Current Situation of Women in Judiciary:
According to the Supreme Court of India’s “State of the Judiciary” report (2023),
- District Judiciary: 36.3% women (2023) – strong representation at entry levels.
- High Courts: Only 13.4% of women judges; Supreme Court: 9.3% (as of Jan 2024) – shows a sharp decline at higher levels.
- State Disparities: Some states (e.g., Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur) have no women or just one woman judge in High Courts.
Challenges in Entry and Retention :
Entry-Level Barriers:
- Practice Requirements: Judicial Service Rules demand continuous practice, which makes it tough for women to balance family roles.
- Bar Representation:according to the Department of Legal Affairs, in 2022, Women are only 15.31% of enrolled advocates, with fewer as senior advocates or in key roles.
Retention Issues:
- Workplace Environment: Inadequate basic facilities (e.g., washrooms, child care) in many courts.
- For example, According to a study by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy in 2019, nearly 100 district courts have no dedicated washrooms for women.
- Transfer Policies: Often ignore women’s caregiving responsibilities, adding stress.
- For example, the Delhi High Court’s crèche only caters to children younger than six years.
Policy Gaps and ‘Funnel Effect’
- Cycle of Under-Representation: Limited female representation at higher levels leads to policies that lack gender sensitivity, perpetuating barriers.
- ‘Funnel Effect’: Fewer women advance to senior judiciary roles, shrinking the pool of eligible women for top positions.
Public-Private Divide Theory
- Gender Bias in Judiciary: As per Carole Pateman’s theory, male-dominated public spaces like courts lag in catering to women’s needs.
- Male Perspective in Policy: Most administrative committees lack female representation, leading to insufficient female-centered policies.
Importance of a ‘Female Gaze’
- Definition: Using a feminist lens in policy-making to address women’s unique needs in traditionally male spaces.
- Goal: Reframe court policies on recruitment, promotion, and infrastructure with a women-centric approach.
Institutional Bias & Women-Centric Needs
- Gender Bias in Roles: Justice Hima Kohli notes gender bias sidelining women in court administration.
- Infrastructure: Few courts provide adequate washrooms, crèches, or family facilities, making daily work challenging for women judges, lawyers, and staff.
- Need for Gender Sensitization: Training and inclusive policies can reduce bias and support women’s long-term retention.
Policy Recommendations
- Infrastructural Upgrades: Ensure basic amenities like washrooms, feeding rooms, and crèches in courts.
- Family-Friendly Policies: Adjust transfer policies to consider caregiving roles, easing career progression for women.
- Representation in Committees: Include women in key decision-making bodies within courts to prioritize female-centric needs.
- Flexible Promotion Criteria: Adapt criteria to support career breaks, making judiciary careers sustainable for women.
Conclusion :
Strengthening gender-sensitive policies and infrastructure is essential to creating a judiciary that reflects diversity, inclusivity, and equity across all levels.
Solar, A Game Changer in Women’s Empowerment
Solar energy is revolutionising women’s empowerment by creating economic opportunities, improving health, and fostering environmental sustainability in marginalised communities. From increased financial inclusion to skill development, solar initiatives enable women to become leaders in the energy economy.
Relevance: GS 3 (Environment, Economy )
Practice Question: Examine the role of solar energy in promoting women’s empowerment, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in expanding solar access in developing regions.(250 words)
Solar as an Empowerment Tool for Women :
- Decentralisation of Energy: Solar energy’s localised production allows communities to generate power close to use, empowering individuals, especially women, by involving them directly in the energy economy.
- Economic Benefits: Women in regions like Gujarat’s Little Rann of Kutch have increased their incomes by 94% by switching from diesel to solar pumps, while also reducing CO₂ emissions by 1,15,000 metric tons annually.
Women-led Solar Initiatives:
- Barefoot College (India), Grameen Shakti (Bangladesh), Solar Sister (Africa): Train women as solar engineers, improving health, safety, and income in communities.
- Health Outcomes: We Care Solar’s portable solar units reduced perinatal deaths by 72% in Uganda.
Solar Advancing Women’s Financial Inclusion
- Job Creation: The solar industry employs more women than any other energy sector, with 4.9 million jobs in 2022, 40% of which were held by women.
- Future Growth: India’s renewable targets are projected to create three million solar jobs by 2030, offering vast opportunities for women’s empowerment.
Challenges in Scaling Solar Access
- Geographical Disparity: Investment is focused in developed countries, leaving developing regions, especially Africa, underserved.
- Sectoral Imbalance: Large-scale solar farms receive most funding, while small-scale applications (e.g., solar pumps, cold storage) lack support.
- Manufacturing Monopoly: Concentration in two countries leads to supply chain risks and price hikes, exacerbated by global demand.
Solar Energy and Marginalised Communities
- Sustainable Development: Unlike coal, solar offers a sustainable economic boost for communities, aiding health and education while alleviating poverty.
- Community-Based Models: Self-help groups, farmer-producer organisations, and rural energy committees are crucial in planning and maintaining mini-grids for community-wide access.
- Environmental Impact: Localised solar projects reduce ecological degradation, foster climate resilience, and create local jobs.
Policy and Gender Inclusion for a Just Transition
- Gender-Focused Policies: National electrification policies need a gender lens to ensure women are not just beneficiaries but active change agents in the energy economy.
- Holistic Integration: Electrification policies should connect with agriculture, forestry, and rural development to remove systemic barriers affecting women, fostering a fairer and inclusive energy economy.
Sustainability and Solar Lifecycle Management
- Waste Management: Recycling and circularity for solar materials must be prioritised, with clear guidelines and collaboration among producers, government, and recyclers.
- Lifecycle Innovation: Mobile recycling plants and robust waste protocols are necessary to minimise environmental impact, enhancing the solar sector’s sustainability.
Conclusion :
Empowering women through solar energy can foster inclusive growth, making energy transition a pathway to equality and sustainability.
Tackling Learning Disabilities Head-on
Learning disabilities affect millions of children in India, creating barriers to effective education and engagement. Addressing these challenges is essential for fostering an inclusive environment where every learner can thrive.
Relevance: GS 2 ( Education )
Practice Question: Discuss the systemic challenges faced by students with learning disabilities in India and propose strategies to create a more inclusive education system.(250 Words)
Understanding the Struggle
- Many students face barriers to learning beyond reading and writing; these involve challenges in processing, understanding, and engagement.
- About 8-15% of children in India, roughly 50 million, have some form of learning disability, yet schools are often ill-equipped to support them.
- Disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD are more than just attention issues or letter-mixing—they affect comprehension, memory, and social interactions.
Systemic Challenges
- India’s education system primarily serves neurotypical students, lacking inclusive strategies for those who learn differently.
- Most teachers, especially in rural areas, lack training in neurodiversity and adaptive methods.
- COVID-19 exacerbated this gap, as online platforms were rarely adapted for students with learning disabilities.
Psychological Impact
- Without support, students with learning disabilities often internalise failure and struggle with anxiety and depression.
- Misunderstood as “lazy” or “slow,” they may lose self-esteem and opportunities to unlock their true potential.
Progress in Policy and Tech
- Policy: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 are steps in the right direction.
- Diagnostics: The government’s adult diagnostic test for learning disabilities is promising but needs effective classroom integration.
- Technology: Tools like text-to-speech software and AI-powered aids could be transformative, but ensuring their reach and accessibility is essential.
A Collaborative Approach
- Early intervention is key; screening tools and programs like Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEIC) are a positive start.
- Teacher training in neurodiversity should be incentivised with financial rewards or career advancement.
- Public campaigns and films like Taare Zameen Par can destigmatize learning disabilities, beginning with education at home for parents.
A Cultural Shift
- Society needs to view learning disabilities as different ways of thinking, not as deficits.
- Government, NGOs, and private institutions must collaborate to ensure policies become actionable support systems.
Conclusion
With targeted interventions, improved teacher training, and societal awareness, India can transform its education system to better support students with learning disabilities. Embracing diversity in learning will unlock the potential of all students.
