The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 8th March 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

A Bold Step Towards a Cervical Cancer-Free Future

Why in News?

In a bid to reduce cases of cervical cancer, the government is likely to roll out an immunisation campaign against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the second quarter of the year.

About Cervical Cancer

• Cervical cancer originates in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus.
• In some cases, Human papillomavirus (HPV) can persist for years, leading to the transformation of cervical cells into cancerous cells.
• Causes:
  • Various strains of Human papillomavirus (HPV) are primarily responsible for most cervical cancer cases. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection affecting the skin, genital region, and throat.
• HPV exposure can be countered by the body's immune system, which typically fends off the virus to prevent harm.
• Types of HPV Vaccines Available:
  • Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil): Shields against HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11.
  • Bivalent vaccine (Cervarix): Provides protection against HPV 16 and 18 exclusively.
  • Non-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9): Guards against nine different HPV strains.

In essence, cervical cancer arises from the cervix's cells due to prolonged HPV presence. Various HPV strains, common in sexually transmitted infections, predominantly contribute to this cancer. The body's immune system typically combats HPV upon exposure. Vaccines like Gardasil, Cervarix, and Gardasil 9 target specific HPV strains to prevent cervical cancer development.Feel free to ask for further clarification if needed.

How does the vaccine prevent cancers?

• The quadrivalent vaccines, such as Serum Institute of India's Cervavac, work by blocking four common HPV types - 16, 18, 6, and 11. This action helps prevent HPV infections, genital warts, and potentially, cancer.
• Cervavac, a cost-effective indigenous vaccine, is set to be utilized in government initiatives.
• Out of the identified 14 HPV types capable of causing cancer, HPV 16 and 18 are the most dangerous, contributing to approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide.
• Administering the vaccine to adolescent girls before they become sexually active is crucial because the vaccine's primary function is to block the virus from entering the body.
• Boosting public awareness, providing access to information and services play pivotal roles in preventing and managing HPV infections and related cancers throughout one's life.
• Vaccinating individuals between the ages of 9 and 14 years significantly reduces the risk of HPV-related infections, cervical cancer, and other associated cancers.
• Commencing screening procedures at the age of 30 aids in the early detection of cervical abnormalities, which, when treated promptly, can prevent cervical cancer.

About International Women’s Day (IWD)

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global observance celebrated annually on March 8th to honor the achievements and contributions of women in various fields and disciplines across the world. The day also serves as a platform to raise awareness about gender equality, advocate for women’s rights, and address issues such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and the socio-economic disparities that women face.

Key Facts About International Women’s Day

History of International Women’s Day

The history of the day dates back to the early 1900s. From a single-day protest to a global movement for gender equality, its evolution spans over a century.

The chronology of the origin of Women’s Day and its evolution is explained below.

Initiation

• 1908: The prevailing oppression of women laborers and gender inequality at the workplace initiated women to start campaigning for change. As a result, around 15,000 women took to the streets and marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better wages, and voting rights.
• 1909: The Socialist Party of America organized the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) across the United States on February 28, 1909. From 1909 upto 1913, women in the US continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February.
• 1910: The Second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen in 1910. Here, a German socialist and women’s rights activist, Clara Zetkin, proposed the idea of establishing an International Women’s Day. This proposal was accepted unanimously. However, no specific date was decided upon.
• 1911: In accordance with the decision taken at the Copenhagen Conference, IWD was celebrated for the first time on 19 March 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Rallies, demonstrations, and marches were organized, demanding better working conditions and voting rights for women.

Evolution

• 1914-1918: World War I and the resultant increased demand for workers facilitated increased participation of women in the workforce. This, indirectly, helped the women’s fight for suffrage.
• 1945: The signing of the UN Charter established the principle of equality for women and men. This led to IWD becoming a focus for the UN’s work on women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Recognition and Expansion

• 1975: The UN, for the first time, officially recognized the IWD in 1975. Here onwards, the UN began to celebrate it annually.
• 1996: In 1996, the UN adopted an official theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) for the first time. Ever since then, the UN has declared an official theme for the day each year.
• 2015: The UNGA adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the SDGs, SDG 5, specifically calls for achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality.
• Present: IWD has become one of the most prominent global platforms to honor and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across the world.

Celebrations of International Women’s Day

At present, the day is celebrated across the world. IWD celebrations in various countries are marked by a range of official and public events. Some common types of international women’s day events:

• The UN organizes an official commemoration event at the UN Headquarters.
• It is a declared national holiday in many countries, while in some others only women are given special holidays.
• Issuing official proclamations and organizing award ceremonies by the government to recognize significant contributions made by women in various fields.
• Organization of cultural programs and exhibitions, showcasing the achievements of women in various fields.
• Programs such as panel discussions, lectures, essay & debate competitions are organized by educational institutions on topics related to women’s empowerment, gender equality, etc.
• Awareness campaigns on critical issues such as gender rights, domestic violence, etc are organized by the Civil Society Organizations and Women’s Groups.
• Corporate bodies also organize several initiatives, such as special events for female employees, CSR activities supporting women’s empowerment projects, etc.
• Community celebrations such as gatherings or informal meet-ups where women celebrate achievements, and discuss ways to take forward women’s movement.

Objectives of International Women’s Day Celebrations

• To celebrate the achievements of women across the world.
• To raise awareness about women’s rights and gender equality.
• To accelerate concrete efforts towards achieving gender parity.
• To inspire individuals, communities, and nations towards the goal of gender equality and women’s rights.
• To foster a sense of solidarity and unity among women worldwide.

Colors of International Women’s Day

As per its official website, Purple, Green, and White are the colors of IWD. The significance of these colors can be seen as follows:

These colors were originally adopted in the UK by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), the militant wing of the British Woman Suffrage Movement. Over the years, these colors became an indifferent part of IWD celebrations across the world.

Theme for International Women’s Day 2024

The International Women’s Day 2024 campaign theme has been decided as “Inspire Inclusion”. By aiming to promote the inclusion of women in all spheres of life, the theme carries multifarious significance as explained below:

• Social Justice: Inclusion of women in different walks of life would promote the cause of social justice.
• Development & Progress: Women constitute approximately 50% of the world’s population. Leaving behind them is not an option if the world has to make progress.
• Workforce Participation: Providing women equal opportunities for employment will promote the Female Labor Force Participation Rate (FLFPR). This, in turn, will promote diversity of skills and perspectives.
• Increased Innovations: Promoting inclusion of women brings diverse perspectives and talents to the table. This promotes more innovations and better solutions.
• Better Decision-Making: Gender inclusion in leadership positions ensures that women’s perspectives and needs are represented in decision-making processes. This leads to innovative solutions to challenges faced across the world such as social injustices, economic inequality, climate change, etc.
• Socio-Economic Equity: Women’s inclusion in all aspects of society is crucial for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Social Change: As compared to men, women tend to make better choices and invest more of their earnings in their families and societies. Thus, promoting females’ inclusion would lead to a ripple effect of positive change in our society.
• Health and Educational Outcomes: Women play a crucial role in the health and well-being of families and communities. Studies show that their inclusion leads to better health and educational outcomes.
• Peaceful Society: Inclusion of women in a true sense would help to do away with gender bias and hence gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, etc. It helps accelerate resolute actions to do away with gender stereotypes and break down barriers for women in all spheres.

Significance of International Women’s Day Celebrations

In a time and age marked by movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp, celebrations of this special day for women hold multifarious significance as explained below:

• It is a day to honor the contributions of women in various spheres and to acknowledge their indispensable role in shaping the globe’s destiny.
• It acts as a reflection and affirmation of the world’s ongoing journey toward women’s empowerment and gender equality.
• It serves as a platform to raise awareness against gender bias and do away with the same.
• The day facilitates discussions and resolute actions to address the persisting challenges that hinder women’s progress across the globe.
• By raising awareness about the success stories of women, the day helps inspire women and girls across the globe to reach their full potential.
• Fosters a feeling of worldwide unity among women and girls from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

In summary, IWD not only celebrates the contributions and sacrifices of women but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality. It is a day to reflect on the progress made towards women’s empowerment and to renew the commitment to addressing the challenges faced by women across the world.