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The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 13th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 13th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC

A Global Alliance to Bridge the Gender Equity Gap

Why in News?

Equality and inclusion are the cornerstones of India’s development journey. The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, which was adopted at the G-20 under India’s presidency, is a testament to this commitment. By prioritising inclusion at the centre of focus areas such as socio-economic empowerment, bridging the digital divide, driving climate action, ensuring food security, nutrition, health, and well-being, among others, the declaration underlines the need for advocating a growth agenda that is driven by women-led development.

What is the Women's Empowerment Index (WEI)?

  • The WEI is a composite index developed by UN Women and UNDP.
  • It measures women's empowerment across five dimensions: life and good health, education, skill-building and knowledge, labor and financial inclusion, participation in decision-making, and freedom from violence.
  • The WEI captures women's power and freedom to make choices and seize life opportunities.
  • The development of the WEI marks a significant milestone in evidence-based policymaking and serves as a baseline for monitoring the government's progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 13th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC

What is the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI)?

  • Composite index evaluating gender disparities in crucial dimensions of human development: health, education, inclusion, and decision-making.
  • Developed by UN Women and UNDP as part of the global report titled ‘The Path to Equality: Women’s Empowerment and Gender Parity in Human Development’, launched in July 2023.
  • Aims to depict the status of women compared to men across various contexts and dimensions.
  • Reflects the multidimensional and interrelated nature of gender equality.

Current Status of Gender Equity in Education in India

  1. Gender Equity in Learning Outcomes: The National Achievement Survey (2017) indicates parity in learning levels between boys and girls in elementary and secondary classes nationwide.

  2. Gender Gap in Mean Years of Schooling: Over the last twenty years, the average years of schooling for girls have nearly tripled, rising from 1.7 years in 1990 to 4.7 in 2018, while for boys, it increased from 4.1 to 8.2 years. Consequently, the gender gap has widened from 2.4 years to 3.5 years.

  3. Widening Gender Gap with Level of Education: Dropout rates for girls surpass those of boys as education levels rise. This trend is attributed to greater obstacles to education for girls, influenced by social norms and gender stereotypes associated with female adolescence.

  4. Gender Gap in Enrolment in Private Schools: More boys are typically enrolled in private schools compared to girls. The higher enrollment of boys in these institutions, juxtaposed with free enrollment for girls in government schools, underscores societal gender biases influencing school choice.

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: Ensures the protection, survival, and education of the girl child.
    • Mahila Shakti Kendra: Aims to empower rural women through skill development and employment opportunities.
    • Rashtriya Mahila Kosh: An apex micro-finance organization providing micro-credit to poor women for livelihood and income generating activities.
    • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna: Empowers girls economically through bank account openings.
    • Female Entrepreneurship: Government programs like Stand-Up India, Mahila e-Haat (an online marketing platform), and Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESSDP) promote female entrepreneurship.
  • Education:
    • Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya: Established in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) to provide education.
  • Political Representation:
    • Political Reservation: Government reserves 33% of seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions for women.
    • Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives: Conducted to empower women for effective participation in governance processes.

What Should be The Way Forward?

  • Emphasis on Early Childhood Education (ECE):

    • Shifting focus to early childhood education (ECE) is crucial as it addresses the foundational roots of the gender gap in education, stemming from ingrained gender norms, biases, and stereotypes in early development.
  • Addressing Structural Challenges:

    • Urgent attention is needed to tackle structural challenges such as the absence of a regulatory framework, insufficient funding, low-quality standards, and the absence of legislation ensuring universal access to early childhood education.
  • Eliminating Gender Stereotypes:

    • Early childhood education should prioritize imparting knowledge that challenges and eradicates gender stereotypes, thus contributing to the reduction of the gender gap.
  • Government Initiatives:

    • Government schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and the new National Education Policy underscore the significance of early childhood education and should be swiftly implemented on a mission-oriented basis.
  • Social and Intergenerational Benefits:

    • Investing in girls’ education yields positive social externalities and intergenerational advantages, leading to a beneficial cycle of reduced poverty, infant mortality, crime rates, and enhanced economic development. Hence, it merits immediate attention.
The document The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 13th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC is a part of the UPSC Course Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly.
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FAQs on The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 13th February 2024 - Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC

1. What is the global gender equity gap?
Ans. The global gender equity gap refers to the disparity between men and women in terms of access to resources, opportunities, and rights. It encompasses various areas such as education, employment, political representation, and healthcare, where women often face discrimination and unequal treatment compared to men.
2. What is the significance of bridging the gender equity gap?
Ans. Bridging the gender equity gap is crucial for achieving a more inclusive and equal society. When women have equal access to education, employment, and decision-making positions, it leads to better economic growth, social development, and overall well-being. It also promotes gender equality, human rights, and social justice.
3. What is the role of a global alliance in bridging the gender equity gap?
Ans. A global alliance plays a vital role in bridging the gender equity gap by bringing together countries, organizations, and individuals committed to promoting gender equality. It facilitates collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective action to address systemic barriers and implement effective policies and initiatives. A global alliance can also provide resources, advocacy, and support to empower women and girls worldwide.
4. What are some challenges in bridging the gender equity gap?
Ans. There are several challenges in bridging the gender equity gap. These include deep-rooted gender stereotypes and cultural norms, lack of access to quality education and healthcare for women, unequal employment opportunities and pay gaps, limited political representation, and gender-based violence and discrimination. Overcoming these challenges requires coordinated efforts, policy changes, awareness campaigns, and empowering women at all levels.
5. How can individuals contribute to bridging the gender equity gap?
Ans. Individuals can contribute to bridging the gender equity gap by promoting gender equality in their personal and professional lives. This can include challenging gender stereotypes, advocating for equal opportunities and rights, supporting women-owned businesses, mentoring and empowering women and girls, promoting inclusive leadership, and actively participating in initiatives and campaigns that aim to achieve gender equity. Every small step towards creating a more equal society can make a significant impact.
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