Indian Society & Social Justice - 4 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

International Girl Child Day

Context
Annually, on October 11th, International Child Day is commemorated to raise awareness and promote the well-being of children around the world.

About the Day

• On October 11th, 2022, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl (IDG). This important day originated from the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which suggested an action plan to promote and protect the rights of girls worldwide.
• In recognition of this, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 in 2011, officially designating October 11th as the International Day of the Girl Child. The theme for the 2022 celebration is "Our time is now—our rights, our future."
• Over the past decade, there has been a significant positive impact as a result of this annual observance. Governments, policymakers, and the public have become more aware of and focused on addressing the unique challenges and issues that girls face. This increased attention has led to the creation of more opportunities for girls to thrive in various aspects of their lives.

Status of Girl Child in India

• According to the "Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India Report 2021" by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), nearly half of the total crimes committed against children in India (47.1%) are concentrated in five states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha.
• It is important to note that in a vast country like India, many instances of child abuse and crimes may go unreported, particularly in remote regions. This means that the actual figures could be significantly higher than those documented in the report.
• In the aftermath of the pandemic, the vulnerability of children has increased, despite various efforts and initiatives aimed at enhancing child protection measures within these states.
• The report also paints a concerning picture of the situation in some eastern states, where Sikkim has the highest rate of sexual offenses against children. This is followed by Kerala, Meghalaya, Haryana, and Mizoram.

Challenges faced by women and girls

• There is a lack of sensitivity among police personnel towards issues related to women's rights, which hinders effective handling of such cases. Additionally, investments in promoting and protecting girls' rights remain insufficient. The investigation process for reported cases often lacks a time-bound approach, leading to delayed justice for victims.
• Although there are adequate laws in place to protect women's rights, the implementation of these laws is often inadequate, resulting in a failure to address the core issues. Female infanticide and sex-selective abortions continue to be prevalent, which reflects a deep-rooted preference for male children over female children. This meta-son preference fuels gender stereotyping and discrimination against women.
• A lack of education and awareness about women's rights and legal grievance redressal mechanisms further exacerbates the problem, as women may not know how to seek help or justice. Human trafficking and forced prostitution, often under the guise of job opportunities, continue to plague women and girls.
• Online abuse and harassment, such as rape threats, cyber-stalking, blackmail, and trolling, are additional challenges faced by women in the digital age. Furthermore, sexual harassment at the workplace and the existence of the glass ceiling hinder women's professional growth and success.
• Girls' struggles to reach their full potential are further aggravated by the simultaneous crises of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing humanitarian conflicts. Overall, there is a pressing need for greater awareness, education, and effective implementation of laws to create a safer and more equitable environment for women and girls.

Measures Taken
Globally:

• In 1995, the World Conference on Women adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to advance the rights of women and girls. 
• The United Nations and the European Union have also launched the Spotlight Initiative, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Additionally, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development supports the Spotlight Initiative by emphasizing gender equality and women's empowerment as central goals.

India:
India has implemented several acts and initiatives to protect women and girls from violence and abuse. These include:

•  The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 - This act aims to protect women from domestic violence and provide them with legal and social support.
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 - This act addresses the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace and outlines measures for prevention and redressal.
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 - This act aims to prevent child marriages and protect the rights of children forced into such marriages.
• The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018 introduced the "Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences" - This system helps monitor and track investigations into sexual assault cases within a specified time frame.
• The National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) - This database aids law enforcement agencies in investigating and tracking sexual offenders across India.

Way Forward

• Despite facing numerous challenges, the 600 million adolescent girls worldwide have demonstrated their ability to drive positive change in their communities and build a stronger future for everyone, including women, men, and boys. They have proven that with the right skills and opportunities, they can be the catalysts for progress.
• One essential aspect of supporting these girls is through the enhancement of community-based child protection mechanisms, such as the establishment of child protection committees at the village level. These committees can play a crucial role in safeguarding the rights and well-being of children within their communities.
• It is imperative for governments to take immediate action to strengthen their country's child protection systems and ensure that police, judicial, and legal institutions are more proactive in addressing the needs of vulnerable children. Additionally, governments should develop an Information Education and Communication (IEC) strategy that focuses on the laws, mechanisms, schemes, and best practices for the protection and welfare of women and children. This strategy will help educate and inform communities about the resources and support available to them, ultimately fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all.

Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022: Correcting Course

Why in News?
The World Bank recently published a report called "Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022: Correcting Course", which focuses on addressing issues of poverty and promoting equitable growth.

What are the Findings of the Report?

• The reduction of global poverty has experienced a significant slowdown since 2015, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine leading to a complete reversal of the progress made. By 2015, the rate of extreme poverty worldwide had been reduced by more than half. However, the decline in poverty has since slowed down, coinciding with subdued global economic growth. Consequently, the goal of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 is unlikely to be achieved.
• In 2020 alone, the number of individuals living below the extreme poverty line increased by over 70 million, marking the largest single-year increase since global poverty monitoring began in 1990. If the current trends continue, it is estimated that by 2030, 574 million people, or nearly 7% of the global population, will still be living on less than USD 2.15 per day, with the majority residing in Africa.
• The Covid-19 pandemic has also led to a rise in inequalities, as the poorest individuals have been disproportionately affected by the crisis. Income losses for the poorest 40% have averaged 4%, which is twice the losses experienced by the wealthiest 20% of the income distribution. As a result, global inequality has increased for the first time in decades. Additionally, global median income saw a 4% decline in 2020, marking the first decrease since median income measurements began in 1990.

What are the Suggestions?

National policy reforms can play a crucial role in restarting progress towards poverty reduction. Enhanced global cooperation is also essential for this process. To achieve this, governments should promptly address three main areas in fiscal policy:

• Replace broad subsidies with targeted cash transfers: A significant portion of energy subsidies in low- and middle-income countries benefits the wealthiest 20% of the population, as they consume more energy. Targeted cash transfers are a more efficient way to support poor and vulnerable groups, as they directly provide financial assistance to those in need.
• Prioritize long-term growth: Governments should invest in high-return areas such as education, research and development, and infrastructure projects. These investments will contribute to sustainable growth in the long run. In times of limited resources, it is crucial to focus on efficient spending and better preparation for future crises.
• Generate domestic revenues without harming the poor: Implementing property taxes and carbon taxes can help raise funds without negatively affecting the poorest members of society. Expanding the base of personal and corporate income taxes is another way to increase revenue. If it is necessary to raise sales and excise taxes, governments should minimize the negative impact on the most vulnerable households by using targeted cash transfers to counterbalance the effects.

What is the State of Poverty in India?

• A recent World Bank paper titled 'Poverty has Declined over the Last Decade But Not As Much As Previously Thought' reveals that extreme poverty in India has significantly reduced by 12.3 percentage points between 2011 and 2019. The poverty headcount rate declined from 22.5% in 2011 to 10.2% in 2019, with rural areas experiencing a more substantial decline in poverty rates.
• In comparison to urban areas, poverty reduction was more prominent in rural regions. Rural poverty decreased from 26.3% in 2011 to 11.6% in 2019, while urban poverty saw a decline from 14.2% to 6.3% during the same period.
• The estimation of poverty in India is conducted by a task force under NITI Aayog, which calculates the poverty line based on data gathered by the National Sample Survey Office, a part of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI). In India, the poverty line estimation focuses on consumption expenditure rather than income levels.

Global Report on Health Equity for Disables

Why in News?
In anticipation of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a global report focusing on health equity for individuals with disabilities.

What are the Findings of the Report?

1. Disability Statistics: Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide, or one in six individuals, suffer from significant disabilities. Due to long-standing and systemic health inequities, many people with disabilities are at risk of dying much earlier than those without disabilities, sometimes up to 20 years earlier. An estimated 80% of people with disabilities live in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources, making it challenging to address these inequities.
2. Risk of Disabilities: People with disabilities face a two-fold risk of developing chronic illnesses such as asthma, depression, diabetes, obesity, dental disorders, and stroke. Many discrepancies in health outcomes cannot be attributed to underlying health conditions but rather to preventable, unfair, and unjust circumstances.

Factors Contributing to Inequity in Healthcare

• Hostile attitudes of healthcare providers: People with disabilities may face discrimination or negative attitudes from healthcare professionals, which can impact the quality of care they receive.
• Non-comprehensible health information formats: Health information may not be presented in accessible formats for people with disabilities, making it difficult for them to understand and manage their health conditions.
• Physical barriers: People with disabilities may face physical barriers in accessing healthcare facilities, such as inaccessible buildings or lack of transportation.
• Financial constraints: Financial limitations can also prevent people with disabilities from accessing healthcare, as they may not have the means to afford necessary treatments or medications.

Addressing these factors and promoting equitable healthcare for people with disabilities is essential to improve their overall health and well-being.

What are the Recommendations?

It is essential to promote the full and effective participation of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society, including the medical field. This can be achieved through fostering inclusion, accessibility, and non-discrimination.
Healthcare systems should be addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities, rather than exacerbating them. Achieving health equity for disabled individuals will not only benefit them but will also advance global health priorities in three key ways:

• Health equity is a vital component in realizing universal health coverage for all people, regardless of their abilities.
• Equitable and inclusive public health interventions across various sectors can lead to overall healthier populations.
• Prioritizing health equity for individuals with disabilities is essential in all efforts to safeguard everyone during health emergencies.

To ensure that persons with disabilities can fully exercise their right to the highest standard of health, governments, health partners, and civil society must work together to make all healthcare sector actions inclusive and accessible.

What are the Initiatives to Empowerment of Disables?

India:

• Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
• Unique Disability Identification Portal
• Accessible India Campaign
• DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
• Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances
• National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities

Global:

• Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
• United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability.
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• UN Principles for People with Disabilities

Raising Minimum Marriageable Age for Muslim Women

Why in News?
The Supreme Court has requested the government's response to a petition submitted by the National Commission for Women (NCW). The petition seeks to increase the minimum age of marriage for Muslim women in order to achieve parity with individuals from other religious backgrounds.

What is the Legal Framework of Minimum Age for Marriage?

• Background:
  • The initial legislation that established a minimum age for marriage in India was the Sarda Act of 1929, which was later renamed the Child Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA). 
  • In 1978, the CMRA was amended to increase the minimum age for marriage to 18 years for females and 21 years for males. 
  • This age requirement has remained unchanged under the Prohibition of Child Marriages Act (PCMA) of 2006, which superseded the CMRA of 1929.
• Current:
  • The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 establishes the minimum age for marriage as 18 years for brides and 21 years for grooms in Hinduism. In contrast, Islamic law considers the marriage of a minor who has reached puberty as valid. 
  • The Special Marriage Act of 1954 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006 also set the minimum age of consent for marriage at 18 and 21 years for women and men, respectively. In order to implement a new age of marriage, these laws would need to be amended. 
  • In 2021, the Union Cabinet proposed increasing the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years.

What are the Issues with Underage Marriages of Women?

• Violation of Human Rights: Child marriage infringes on the basic human rights of young girls, rendering them nearly invisible in policy-making. Some fundamental rights that are denied to child brides include the right to education, the right to rest and leisure, and the right to protection from mental or physical abuse, including rape and sexual exploitation.
• Disempowerment of Women and Hindered Gender Equality: Child brides are often unable to complete their education, which leaves them dependent and disempowered. This lack of empowerment and independence serves as a significant obstacle in achieving gender equality in society.
• Health Issues Associated with Child Marriage: The consequences of child marriage extend to various health issues, such as teenage pregnancy, child stunting, population growth, poor learning outcomes for children, and the loss of women's participation in the workforce. Due to their low domestic status, teenage wives are often subjected to long hours of domestic labor, poor nutrition and anemia, social isolation, domestic violence, and limited decision-making power within the household.
• Intergenerational Cycle of Malnutrition: Child marriage also contributes to an intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, as poor education, malnutrition, and early pregnancy lead to low birth weight of babies. This perpetuates malnutrition within the family and society, affecting future generations.

Conclusion
The existing laws on marriage focus primarily on age and do not provide any exemptions for children belonging to specific religions. The categorization based solely on "puberty" lacks scientific evidence and does not have a rational connection to the ability to marry.
While a person who has reached puberty may be biologically capable of reproducing, it does not necessarily mean that they are mentally or emotionally mature enough to engage in sexual activities or bear children as a result.

PM Awas Yojana-Gramin Scheme

In News
The Union Cabinet has recently given its approval to extend the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) program for an additional three years, until March 2024.

Major Points 

• The expansion of the scheme will aid in building the remaining 155.75 lakh houses, contributing to the overall goal of constructing 2.95 crore sturdy, permanent homes. 
• The remaining construction has a total financial impact of Rs 1,98,581 crore. 
• This initiative will be beneficial in offering support for constructing durable homes equipped with basic facilities, ultimately achieving the objective of "Housing for All" in rural areas.

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)

• The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) is a flagship housing program launched by the Government of India with the aim of providing "Housing for All" by the year 2022. The program was introduced by the Ministry of Rural Development to address issues of design flaws, lack of transparency, leakages, favoritism, and corruption at various levels in the previous rural housing scheme, Indira Awaas Yojna (IAY).
• PMAY-G is a social welfare initiative through which the government offers financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries who are houseless, based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. The goal is to help these individuals construct a quality house for their personal living. The program's cost is shared between the Central and State Governments in a 60:40 ratio in plain areas and a 90:10 ratio for North Eastern and hilly states. By 2022, the program aims to complete 2.95 crore PMAY-G houses with all basic amenities.
• Beneficiaries are identified based on housing deprivation parameters and exclusion criteria prescribed under the SECC 2011, after due verification by the Gram Sabha. The scheme also aims to provide additional facilities through convergence with other programs, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission for sanitation, the PM Ujjwala Yojana for providing LPG connections, and the unskilled wage component of 90-95 days under MGNREGA.
• Furthermore, the program offers assistance for toilet construction, amounting to Rs. 12,000, through the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), MGNREGS, or any other dedicated funding source. It also facilitates willing beneficiaries to avail loans from financial institutions for an amount of up to Rs 70,000.

Challenges
The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent nationwide lockdown have significantly slowed down the construction of rural houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme. Delays have also occurred due to beneficiaries' unwillingness, migration, deaths without legal heirs, and postponement in land allotment for landless beneficiaries by states/UTs. Moreover, the implementation has been affected by the unavailability of construction materials, labor, and delays in inspecting various stages of house construction.
Initiatives to ensure the proper functioning of the scheme:

• The Ministry regularly reviews progress to ensure the timely completion of targeted houses.
• Daily monitoring of various parameters, such as gaps in house sanctions, cleaning of the Permanent Wait List (PWL) of PMAY-G, and the release of Central Share/State Matching Share from the treasury to the Single Nodal Account (SNA).
• Timely allocation of targets and release of funds to states/UTs at the Ministry level.
• Regular follow-ups with states to ensure land provision for landless beneficiaries in rural areas.
• Increasing the coverage of the Rural Mason Training (RMT) program to enhance the availability of trained masons, resulting in faster construction of quality houses
• Awarding the best-performing states/UTs and districts based on performance index dashboard, fostering healthy competition and motivation for achieving set targets.

Promoting eco-friendly and innovative technologies for house construction and monitoring, such as:

• AwaasSoft and AwaasApp: AwaasSoft offers functionalities for data entry and monitoring of various statistics related to the scheme's implementation aspects. New modules have been added to improve accessibility and maintain transparency in the program's execution. Some of these modules include:
  • Landless Module: This caters to landless households on the Permanent Wait List (PWL).
  • E-Ticketing System: This module addresses grievances related to technical and non-technical issues under PMAY-G, as referred by states/UTs.
  • Aadhaar Based Payment System (ABPS): ABPS enables Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to PMAY-G beneficiaries' bank accounts linked with their Aadhaar numbers, ensuring safe and authentic transactions.

Entry of Women in Masjids

Why in News?
The Jama Masjid in Delhi recently implemented a ban on single women and groups of women from entering the mosque premises. However, the prohibition was withdrawn following the intervention of the Lieutenant-Governor.

What is the Islamic Law on Women’s Entry?

• Islamic Law: The Quran does not explicitly forbid women from attending mosques for prayers. In fact, it speaks in gender-neutral terms when discussing the establishment of prayer. Before the five daily prayers, a prayer call or azaan is announced, inviting both men and women to pray and reminding them to "come for prayer, come for success."
• Global Scenario: Women are not banned from attending mosques for prayers across West Asia. Similarly, in the United States and Canada, women can access mosques for prayers and even gather for special Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan and for religious lessons.
• National Scenario: In India, only a few mosques managed by Jamaat-e-Islami and the Ahl-e-Hadith sect provide provisions for female worshippers. While most mosques do not explicitly forbid women's entry, they lack facilities for women to perform ablutions for prayer or provide separate prayer areas specifically for women. As a result, mosques are often seen as 'men only' zones.

Opinion of Scholars
Islamic scholars generally concur that while prayers can be offered at home, they are best established in a group setting, highlighting the significance of attending a mosque. However, they also agree that women are exempted, not prohibited, from going to the mosque due to their roles in child-rearing and other domestic responsibilities.

What is the Legal Issue behind the Ban?

• The Constitution of India ensures complete equality between men and women. 
• In the case of Haji Ali Dargah, the High Court referred to Articles 15, 16, and 25 of the Constitution to grant women access to the shrine. 
• There are currently petitions filed in the Supreme Court seeking access for women to all mosques across the country. 
• The Supreme Court has combined these petitions with the Sabarimala case.

Have there been Similar Bans Before?

• In 2011, a barrier was installed at the highly popular 15th-century Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, preventing women from accessing certain areas of the shrine. 
• In response, a group of women sought a resolution from the dargah's management, but their requests were denied. Consequently, they launched a campaign called "Haji Ali for All," which gained support from other women. 
• The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan led these women to approach the Bombay High Court, which ultimately ruled in their favor in 2016.