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

Hysterectomy

Context

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare urged State Governments to audit hysterectomy trends in public and private hospitals.

What is Hysterectomy?

• Hysterectomy – It is a surgery to remove a woman's uterus or womb, which results in no menstrual periods and no pregnancy in operated women.
• In medical terms, it is also known as surgical menopause.
• Hysterectomy adversely impacts the woman’s health as it could lead to hormonal imbalance, calcium deficiency and constant body aches, among other things.
• Hysterectomies are presented to women as a permanent solution for health issues, even when other low-invasive treatments could work.

What are the international conventions associated with hysterectomies?

• Unnecessary hysterectomies violate international conventions to which India is a signatory.
• The international conventions include:
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – It recognizes people’s right to control their health and body including reproductive and sexual freedom
  • 
    
    • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
    • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

What are the measures taken so far?

• Health Ministry - In 2022 issued guidelines to prevent unnecessary hysterectomies.
• The guidelines listing possible indications of when hysterectomy may be required and alternative clinical treatments for gynecological issues.
• Supreme Court order - States and Union Territories are expected to conduct audits of hysterectomy trends and furnish a report, as per the Supreme Court order.
• Grievance portal - Proposed by government to be monitored by monitored by the National Hysterectomy Monitoring Committee, for hysterectomy beneficiaries.
• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - Provides health insurance provides health cover of Rs5 lakhs for 1,949 procedures including hysterectomies.
• Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act 2010 – It blacklists the hospitals and healthcare facilities which coerces women into hysterectomies without informed consent.
• 11 States - Including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and Karnataka, have adopted Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act 2010.

What is the need of the hour?

• Increase awareness of the risks and benefits of hysterectomies among women and healthcare providers.
• Ensure that women are given informed consent before undergoing a hysterectomy.
• Crack down on unethical practices by healthcare providers, such as performing unnecessary hysterectomies for financial gain.
• Provide more access to quality healthcare, so that women have more options for treating their medical conditions.

Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023

Context

The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID-2023) has revealed significant insights regarding internal displacement, particularly focusing on the year 2022.

Key Highlights of the Report

Total Number of IDPs:

• Over 71 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded across 110 countries and territories by the end of 2022.
• This marked a 20% increase in IDPs within just one year.

Total IDPs in India:

• India had over 6 lakh IDPs resulting from conflict and violence, with an additional 32 thousand displaced due to disasters.

Weather-Related Displacements:

• A striking 98% of disaster-induced displacements in 2022 were attributed to weather-related events.
• Floods and storms emerged as the primary culprits, accounting for 6 out of 10 disaster-induced displacements.

Pakistan and India:

• Pakistan recorded the highest number of disaster-induced displacements in 2022, followed by China and Afghanistan, with India ranking fourth in this regard.

La Niña’s Influence:

• The prolonged three-year La Niña phenomenon played a significant role in the increase of weather-related disasters, particularly floods, leading to widespread displacement worldwide.

Regional Displacement Patterns:

• Sub-Saharan Africa experienced an all-time high in displacement due to disasters in 2022.
• South Asia witnessed double the annual average of disaster-induced displacements.

Actions needed:

• Urgent requirement for unconditional cash assistance to meet the immediate needs of IDPs.
• Development of IDPs’ livelihoods and skills is essential.
• Emphasizing the importance of building resilience and preparedness at individual, community, and national levels.
• Addressing the impacts of climate change and investing in adaptation measures are crucial to mitigate future displacements.

About Internal Displacement

• Internal displacement refers to the situation where individuals are compelled to leave their homes but remain within the borders of their own country.

Factors of Displacement

• Drivers of internal displacement include conflict, violence, development projects, disasters, and climate change.

Components

• Internal displacement is characterized by two key components:
  • Involuntary movement of individuals.
  • Individuals remain within their own country’s borders.

Difference from Refugee

• Unlike refugees, internally displaced people have not crossed international borders and are not covered by any international convention.

Challenges Faced by IDPs

• IDPs face numerous challenges including the threat of physical attacks, sexual- or gender-based violence, family separation, inadequate shelter, food, health services, and limited access to livelihood opportunities.

IDPs in India

• India has one of the highest numbers of IDPs globally.

Internal Displacement in India – Policy Framework

• India lacks a national policy or legal framework to address the issues of refugees or IDPs.
• The country has not ratified the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol and restricts UNHCR access to most refugee groups.

Factors of Internal Displacement in India

• Internal displacement in India arises from factors such as secessionist movements, identity-based autonomy movements, localized violence, and environmental and development-induced displacement.

About the Report

• The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID-2023) is published by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), which is a leading source of data and analysis on internal displacement.
• The 2023 edition highlights the substantial increase in the number of people displaced by disasters in 2022 and explores the complex relationships between disasters, conflict, violence, food security, and internal displacement.

IDMC (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre)

• IDMC is an international non-governmental organization established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council, headquartered in Geneva.
• Its focus is on monitoring, providing information, and analyzing data related to the world’s internally displaced persons.

Conclusion

• India needs to formulate policies and strategies that specifically address migration, promote inclusive growth and development, and reduce distress-induced migration.
• The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol highlight the principle of non-refoulment, emphasizing the protection of refugees from being returned to countries where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.

Lingering Health Effects of Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Context

 Recently, a study highlighted the continuous health issues faced by individuals even after decades of Bhopal Gas Tragedy event.

Main Findings of the Study are:

• As per the study, it has been observed that the impacts of the tragedy are visible in almost 100 km radius around Bhopal, affecting big area than previously assessed.
• Study also mentioned the social costs associated with the event, which still continue to affect generations.
• Many survivors of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy have experienced a lot of health problems over the years and these include respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, ophthalmic (related to eyes), and endocrine issues.
• A big increase in miscarriages, stillbirths, neonatal mortality, menstrual abnormalities, and premature menopause has been observed among womens who have been exposed to the toxic gas.
• Women who were residing within 100 kms of Bhopal and were pregnant with male foetuses had a 1% point higher disability rate.
• Decline in the proportion of male child births from 64% (1981-1984) to 60% (1985) have been observed among womens living within 100 km of Bhopal.

About the Bhopal Gas Tragedy

• The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, also known as the Bhopal disaster, took place on the night of December 2-3^rd 1984, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• It was caused by a massive release of toxic gases from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant, which was owned by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), a multinational company based in the United States.
• The disaster occurred when a highly toxic gas called Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) was released from a storage tank at the UCIL plant.
• The exact cause of the gas release is still a matter of debate, but it is believed to have been triggered by a combination of factors, including poor maintenance practices, inadequate safety measures, and equipment failures.
• The gas leak quickly spread over the surrounding residential areas, exposing thousands of people to the toxic gases. The immediate effects were catastrophic, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people within the first few days.
• The exact death toll remains a matter of contention, with estimates ranging from a few thousand to as high as 15,000.
• In addition to the fatalities, hundreds of thousands of people were injured, many of whom suffered long-term health consequences.
• The toxic gases caused severe respiratory problems, eye disorders, neurological damage, and other health issues among the survivors.
• The impact on the environment was also significant, with long-term contamination of soil and water resources in the vicinity of the plant.

Preventing future industrial disasters requires a comprehensive approach that involves multiple stakeholders, including governments, industries, regulatory bodies, and communities. Here are some key strategies and measures that can help prevent industrial disasters:

• Strict Regulatory Frameworks: Governments need to establish and enforce robust regulatory frameworks that set clear standards for industrial safety. These regulations should cover various aspects, such as design and construction of facilities, equipment maintenance, emergency response plans, and worker safety. Regular inspections and audits should be conducted to ensure compliance.
• Risk Assessment and Management: Industries should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards and vulnerabilities in their operations. This includes evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of accidents or releases of hazardous substances. Based on these assessments, appropriate risk management measures, such as safety protocols, redundant systems, and preventive maintenance, should be implemented.
• Training and Education: Adequate training and education are crucial for workers and management to understand and follow the safety protocols. This includes providing comprehensive training on equipment operation, emergency response procedures, hazard recognition, and safety protocols. Ongoing training and refresher courses should be provided to ensure knowledge and skills are up to date.
• Safety Culture: Fostering a strong safety culture within organizations is vital. This involves promoting a mindset where safety is prioritized at all levels of the organization, from top management to front-line workers. Encouraging open communication and continuous improvement of safety practices can contribute to a strong safety culture.
• Technology and Automation: Embracing technological advancements and automation can enhance industrial safety. Implementing state-of-the-art monitoring systems, sensors, and automation controls can help identify and address potential risks in real-time. Automation can reduce human error and minimize the risk of accidents caused by manual operations.
• Community Engagement: Industrial facilities must actively engage with local communities and address their concerns. Establishing effective communication channels, conducting community awareness programs, and involving community representatives in decision-making processes can foster trust and collaboration. This engagement can help identify potential risks and mitigate their impact on nearby populations.
• Independent Audits and Oversight: Independent audits and oversight play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Regular inspections and audits by qualified external agencies can provide unbiased assessments of industrial facilities. This helps identify gaps in safety practices, ensures adherence to regulations, and holds industries accountable for maintaining safe operations.
• International Cooperation: Collaboration between countries, regulatory bodies, and industries at the international level is essential. Sharing best practices, research, and technological advancements can help improve industrial safety globally. International standards and guidelines can be developed to promote uniformity in safety practices and prevent incidents caused by inadequate regulations.

Conclusion

Preventing industrial disasters requires a proactive and ongoing commitment from all stakeholders involved. It is a collective responsibility to prioritize safety, implement robust preventive measures, and continuously improve industrial practices to mitigate the risks associated with industrial operations.

One Nation One Anganwadi Program

Context

More than 57,000 migrant workers have registered for the special one nation one Anganwadi program on Poshan Tracker App.

• Poshan app will allow migrant workers to access nurseries at their respective locations by using the Poshan Tracker App on mobile phones.

What is Poshan Tracker App?

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has launched an application called Poshan Tracker.
  • The Poshan Tracker management application provides a 360-degree view of the activities of the Anganwadi Centre.
• The app facilitates efficient service delivery by digitizing and automating the tasks performed by Anganwadi Workers.
• To support their work, smartphones procured through Government e-Market (GeM) have been provided to the workers.
  • Additionally, a designated individual has been appointed in each state to offer technical support and resolve any issues related to downloading and using the new Poshan Tracker application.
• Migrant workers who have registered in their original state can visit the nearest Anganwadi in their current place of residence to access the schemes and services provided through the app.

What are the Achievements of the App?

• Since the launch of the Poshan Abhiyan in 2018, a total of 10 crore 6 lakh beneficiaries have been registered on App.
• There has been a significant decline over the years in the numbers of girls dropping out in the age group of 11-14 years.
• In the Northeast and in aspirational districts, as many as 22.40 lakh adolescent girls have been identified, who will be covered under this new scheme which now falls under the ambit of the Poshan 2.0.
• An age-appropriate take-home ration is being designed for children up to six years of age.

What is Poshan Abhiyan?

• About:
  • POSHAN Abhiyaan (Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) was launched the Prime Minister on 8^th March 2018 in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan.
• Objectives:
  • Prevent and reduce Stunting in children (0- 6 years)
  • Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years)
  • Reduce the prevalence of anemia among young Children (6-59 months)
  • Reduce the prevalence of anemia among Women and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 15-49 years
  • Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW).

What is Anganwadi?

• Anganwadi Services (Now renamed as Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by States/UTs.
• It provides a package of six services, namely, (i) Supplementary Nutrition; (ii) Pre-school Non-formal Education; (iii) Nutrition & Health Education; (iv) Immunization; (v) Health Check-up; and (vi) Referral Services.
• It provides services to all eligible beneficiaries, namely, children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers through the platform of Anganwadi Centres across the country.
  • Three of the services viz. Immunization, Health Check-up and Referral Services are related to health and are provided through NRHM & Public Health Infrastructure.

Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2022

Context

• The recently published Global Trends on Forced Displacement Report, sheds light on the concerning statistical trends surrounding forced displacement.
• It has revealed a significant and unprecedented increase in the number of individuals compelled to leave their homes due to a combination of social and climate-related crises in 2022.
• Compared to the previous year, the report indicates a staggering 21 percent surge in forced displacement, marking the most substantial rise on record.

About Global Trends Report

• The Global Trends report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) serves as a vital resource that provides essential statistical insights and the most up-to-date official figures regarding refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and stateless individuals worldwide.
• It also encompasses data on the numbers of refugees and IDPs who have returned to their countries or regions of origin.
• The Global Trends report is published once a year and reflects on the previous year. The figures are based on data reported by governments, non-governmental organizations and UNHCR.

Findings of the Report

• At the end of 2022, 108.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events seriously disturbing public order.
  • Of these, 35.3 million were people who had to move to another country for safety (refugees).
• A large share of refugees were from Ukraine, pushed out by the full-blown war in their country. The displacement of Ukrainians also was the global fastest since World War II, growing from 27,300 at the end of 2021 to 5.7 million at the end of 2022.
• The total number of people displaced across the world increased to 110 million by May 2023, driven by the fresh conflict in Sudan.

Number of Refugees in the World

• According to UNHCR's statistics on forced displacement, there was a notable increase in the number of refugees from 27.1 million in 2021 to 35.3 million by the end of 2022.
• The surge in the number of refugees was primarily driven by the international armed conflict in Ukraine, which led many individuals to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries.
• Among all the countries experiencing forced displacement, three nations accounted for the majority of refugees and individuals in need of international protection.
  • These three countries were the Syrian Arab Republic, with approximately 6.5 million refugees; Ukraine, with around 5.7 million refugees; and Afghanistan, also with approximately 5.7 million refugees.

Causes of Displacement

• Climate Disaster: In 2022, the world experienced a significant number of climate-related disasters, resulting in a staggering 32.6 million individuals being internally displaced. By the end of the year, approximately 8.7 million of these displaced individuals were unable to return to their homes. Alarmingly, more than half (54 percent) of all new displacements during that year were directly attributed to climate-related events.
• New and ongoing conflicts continue to force people to flee in 2023, including as a result of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, widespread violence in Myanmar and persistent insecurity and drought in Somalia.
• Ukraine Crisis: In February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered a major displacement crisis, one of the largest since World War II. By the end of 2022, approximately 11.6 million Ukrainians were displaced, with 5.9 million displaced within Ukraine and 5.7 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries and beyond.
• Internally displaced people (IDPs) make up 58% of all forcibly displaced individuals, often staying within their own countries. Syria has the highest number of internally displaced individuals, with 6.8 million people affected.
• Stateless people: Statelessness adds a complex dimension to the refugee crisis. Stateless individuals are not recognized as citizens by any government, making it challenging for them to access basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and employment in the countries where they seek asylum. This is due to their lack of nationality documents.

Who had to bear the biggest burden of the humanitarian crisis?

• Poorer countries had to bear the biggest burden of this humanitarian crisis. Not only did 90 per cent of the displaced population come from low- and middle-income countries, these nations also hosted 76 per cent of the world’s refugees in 2022.
• Low-income countries, which have limited resources to adapt to the situation and account for only 0.5 per cent of global gross domestic product, hosted 16 per cent of the refugees.
• The 46 countries with the poorest development indicators or the Least Developed Countries hosted 20 percent of the global refugee population.
  • This includes Bangladesh, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen.
  • The share has, however, decreased over last year’s because a large number of people displaced from Ukraine settled in neighbouring countries in Europe.

Conclusion

• The UNHCR has emphasized the urgent need for collective action in response to the escalating challenges of armed conflict and climate-induced disruptions, which have resulted in a growing number of displaced individuals worldwide.
• These statistics serve as a stark reminder that some individuals and nations tend to resort to conflict hastily, while the search for viable solutions is often protracted and inadequate.
• Consequently, this pattern of behavior leads to devastating consequences, including widespread devastation, forced displacement, and immeasurable suffering for the millions of people who are forcibly uprooted from their homes.
• The upcoming Global Refugee Forum 2023 will be an opportunity to demonstrate that this solidarity remains solid, as States and other stakeholders showcase good practices and make new commitments in support of refugees and their host communities.

Global Gender Gap Report 2023: WEF

Context

Recently, 17^th edition of the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 has been released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), evaluating the status of Gender Parity across 146 countries.

What is the Global Gender Gap Index?

• About:
  • It benchmarks countries on their progress towards gender parity in four Key dimensions with Submatrices.
    • Economic Participation and Opportunity
    • Educational Attainment
    • Health and Survival
    • Political Empowerment
  • On each of the four sub-indices as well as on the overall index the GGG index provides scores between 0 and 1, where 1 shows full gender parity and 0 is complete imparity.
  • It is the longest-standing index, which tracks progress towards closing these gaps over time since its inception in 2006.
• Objectives:
  • To serve as a compass to track progress on relative gaps between women and men on health, education, economy and politics.
  • Through this annual yardstick, the stakeholders within each country are able to set priorities relevant in each specific economic, political and cultural context.

What are the Key Findings?

• Global Gender Gap Score:
  • The global gender gap score in 2023 stands at 68.4%, indicating a modest improvement of 0.3% points compared to the previous year.
  • At the current rate of progress, it would take 131 years to achieve full gender parity, showing a significant slowdown in the overall rate of change.
• Top-Ranking Countries:
  • Iceland has maintained its position as the most gender-equal country for the 14^th consecutive year, with a gender gap score of 91.2%.
    • It is the only country to have closed over 90% of its gender gap.
  • Three other Nordic countries—Norway (87.9%), Finland (86.3%), and Sweden (81.5%)—join Iceland in the top five rankings, highlighting their strong commitment to gender equality.
• Health and Survival:
  • The gender gap in health and survival has closed by 96% globally.
• Political Empowerment:
  • The political empowerment gender gap remains significant, with a closure rate of 22.1% globally and a projected timeline of 162 years to close the gap.
• Educational Attainment:
  • The gender gap in educational attainment has closed by 95.2%, with significant progress made over the 2006-2023 period.
  • The gender gap in educational attainment is projected to close in 16 years.
• Economic Participation and Opportunity:
  • The gender gap in economic participation and opportunity stands at 60.1% globally, highlighting the persistent challenges in achieving gender equality in the workforce.
  • The gender gap in economic participation and opportunity is projected to close in 169 years.

How has India Fared in the Gender Gap Report 2023?

• India’s Rank:
  • India has made significant progress, rising from 135^th (in 2022) to 127^th out of 146 countries in the report's 2023 edition, indicating an improvement in its ranking.
    • India’s neighbours Pakistan ranked at 142, Bangladesh at 59, China at 107, Nepal at 116, Sri Lanka at 115 and Bhutan at 103.
  • The country has improved by 1.4 percentage points and eight positions since the last edition, marking a partial recovery towards its 2020 parity level.
    • India had closed 64.3% of the overall gender gap.
• Gender Parity in Education:
  • India has achieved parity in enrolment across all levels of education, reflecting a positive development in the country's education system.
• Economic Participation and Opportunity:
  • India's progress in economic participation and opportunity remains a challenge, with only 36.7% gender parity achieved in this domain.
  • While there has been an uptick in parity in wages and income, there is a slight drop in the representation of women in senior positions and technical roles.
• Political Empowerment:
  • India has made strides in political empowerment, achieving 25.3% parity in this domain. Women represent 15.1% of parliamentarians, which is the highest representation since the inaugural report in 2006.
  • 18 countries — including Bolivia (50.4%), India (44.4%) and France (42.3%) — have achieved women’s representation of over 40% in Local Governance.
• Health and Survival:
  • There is a 1.9%-point improvement in India's sex ratio at birth, after more than a decade of slow progress.
  • However, India, along with Vietnam, China, and Azerbaijan, still has relatively low scores on the Health and Survival sub-index due to skewed sex ratios.

What are the Indian Initiatives to reduce Gender Gap in Social, Economic and Political Life?

• Economic Participation and Health and Survival:
  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: It ensures the protection, survival and education of the girl child.
  • Mahila Shakti Kendra: Aims to empower rural women with opportunities for skill development and employment.
  • Mahila Police Volunteers: It envisages engagement of Mahila Police Volunteers in States/UTs who act as a link between police and community and facilitates women in distress.
  • Rashtriya Mahila Kosh: It is an apex micro-finance organization that provides micro-credit at concessional terms to poor women for various livelihood and income generating activities.
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna: Under this scheme girls have been economically empowered by opening their bank accounts.
  • Female Entrepreneurship: To promote female entrepreneurship, the Government has initiated Programmes like Stand-Up India and Mahila e-Haat (online marketing platform to support women entrepreneurs/ SHGs/NGOs), Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESSDP).
  • Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya: They have been opened in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs).
• Political Reservation: Government has reserved 33% of the seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions for women.
  • Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives: It is conducted with a view to empowering women to participate effectively in the governance processes.