India Needs to Develop a Care Ecosystem
Context: The low female labor force participation rate (FLFPR) has been at the center of discussions about women’s empowerment. According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, India’s FLFPR was 37% in 2022-23, compared to the global average of 47.8% in 2022. While this is an improvement from 23.3% in 2017-18, 37.5% of this group consists of “unpaid […]
The Issue of Institutional Violence
Context: India’s electoral system reveals a striking contrast. In the world’s largest democratic exercise, 642 million voters participated, with women making up more than half. Yet, in a nation where 90 rapes are reported daily, few of the 2,823 election candidates prioritized women’s safety in their agendas. For those who did, their efforts were inconsistent and […]
Does Work from Home Benefit Working Mothers?
Context: In their October 2023 University of Virginia working paper titled “Has the Rise of Work-from-Home Reduced the Motherhood Penalty in the Labor Market?”, Emma Harrington and Matthew E. Kahn explore the potential impact of work-from-home (WFH) arrangements on the “motherhood penalty” phenomenon. Relevance: GS2- Role of Women GS3- Mains Question: With reference to the […]
Giving Primacy to Human Development
Context: The concept of development has become a central theme for political parties during elections. Reflecting on the accomplishments of recent years, as depicted in the Human Development Report, highlights the challenges ahead and underscores the necessity for a well-defined strategy to embark on a prolonged journey. Relevance: GS2- GS3- Inclusive Growth Mains Question: Given […]
Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2022
Context: Recently, the Gender Inequality Index (GII), 2022 has been released by UNDP in their Human Development Report 2023-24. In GII, India stands at rank 108th out of 193 countries, with a score of 0.437. Relevance: GS I: Role of Women Dimensions of the Article: Gender Inequality Index (GII): Dimensions and Indicators: India’s Progress: Major Issues Related to Gender Inequality in India: […]
Gender Bias in Politics is a Crude Reality
Context: Donald Trump emerged victorious in the South Carolina primary, surpassing Nikki Haley, the final significant Republican contender vying for the Presidential nomination. Ahead of the election, a Republican supporter from South Carolina remarked that while Ms. Haley had accomplished commendable feats as governor, Donald Trump was deemed the preferred choice as he was a […]
Women in Leadership Roles
Context: The much-delayed women’s reservation bill was unanimously passed in the Indian parliament. As Indian citizens, it is essential to acknowledge that this triumph is a narrative interwoven with not only struggles but also threads of hope. The approval of this historic bill marks a celebration of the resilience and bravery demonstrated by Indian women […]
Green Jobs and the Problem of Gender Disparity
Context: The shift towards low-carbon development in India has the potential to generate approximately 35 million green jobs by the year 2047. Green jobs, as defined by the International Labour Organization, refer to “decent jobs that contribute to the preservation or restoration of the environment.” These opportunities span various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, energy […]
A Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act
Context: Addressing gender disparities and promoting the empowerment of women constitute integral components of the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to ethical and constitutional obligations, there is substantial evidence indicating that boosting the employment rates of women can serve as a catalyst for economic advancement. Relevance: GS2- Mains Question: Discuss the challenges faced by the urban […]
Discrimination Against Women in Workplace
Context: The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticized an outdated and patriarchal notion, asserting that regulations penalizing female employees for marrying are unconstitutional. The court deemed the termination of employment based on marriage as a clear instance of gender discrimination and inequality, emphasizing that such patriarchal rules undermine human dignity, the right to non-discrimination, […]