Content:
- The ‘domestic sphere’ in a new India
- Iran and India, ancient civilisations and new horizons
The ‘domestic sphere’ in a new India
Context and Background
- Policy narratives increasingly highlight “Nari Shakti” and “women-led development”.
- At the same time, challenges in the domestic sphere—violence, unequal workload, undervaluation of women’s labour—remain significant.
- Example: RSS chief’s 2025 remark urging families to have “at least 3 children” highlights debates on women’s autonomy and demographic concerns.
Relevance : GS I (Indian Society – Women’s Empowerment, Gender Inequality, Social Institutions, Family and Marriage) & GS II (Governance – Rights of Women, Domestic Violence, Labour Laws, Constitutional Equality).
Practice Question : Policy narratives emphasise women-led development, yet domestic realities reflect persistent gender inequalities in labour, safety, and recognition. Critically examine this contradiction in light of recent data on domestic violence and unpaid work in India.(250 Words)
Domestic Violence and Safety
- Dowry deaths: Average 7,000 annually (2017–2022) → 35,000 lives lost in 5 years.
- Intimate partner violence: NFHS-5 → 30% women reported violence; only 14% lodged police complaints.
- Crime statistics: 1/3rd of 4.45 lakh registered crimes against women relate to domestic violence.
- Policy gap: Public discourse often emphasises external threats (e.g., “love jihad”) but less on intra-family/domestic violence.
Legal and Policy Dimensions
- Historical debates: Resistance to B.R. Ambedkar’s Hindu Code Bill reforms that expanded women’s rights in marriage and divorce.
- Present issues:
- Concerns about dilution of domestic violence laws under claims of “misuse”.
- Ongoing Supreme Court debate on criminalisation of marital rape—arguments include impact on institution of marriage and cultural norms.
Women’s Work: Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024
- Formal/recognised work:
- 25% women engaged in employment (avg. 5 hrs/day) vs. 75% men (8 hrs/day).
- 23% women in family enterprises (~2 hrs/day) vs. 14% men (~2 hrs/day).
- Unpaid domestic & care work:
- 93% women → 7 hrs/day in domestic work.
- 41% women → 2.5 hrs/day in unpaid caregiving.
- Men average 26 minutes/day in domestic work, 16 minutes/day in caregiving.
- Overall: Women’s total work hours > men; less time for leisure, sleep, and food.
Economic Value and Undervaluation
- SBI 2023 estimate: If monetised, women’s unpaid domestic work = 7% of GDP (~₹22.5 lakh crore/year).
- Public service roles: Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and mid-day meal staff often classified as “volunteers” → receive honorariums, not wages.
- Policy concern: Non-recognition of unpaid domestic work in the System of National Accounts (SNA).
Government Narrative vs. Data Reality
- Official framing: PIB press release (Feb 2025) → “More acknowledgement of care-giving activities regardless of gender”.
- Survey findings: Inequalities persist, with women performing 3x more unpaid care work than men.
Broader Structural Issues
- Cultural pressures: Women expected to “adjust” in marriages, limited acceptance of inter-caste or self-choice marriages.
- Intersectionality: Women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes often bear greater unpaid and low-paid work burdens.
- Implication: Domestic sphere inequalities reinforce both social hierarchies and economic structures.
Alternative Policy Approaches (as suggested in debates)
- Strengthen measures against domestic violence.
- Ensure equal wages and recognition of men and women as primary workers.
- Provide universal state-supported childcare and eldercare facilities.
- Expand quality healthcare and education access to reduce unpaid burden.
- Encourage shared domestic responsibility within families.
- Recognise scheme workers as government employees with minimum wages and benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Contradiction: Public emphasis on “women-led development” vs. persistent challenges in domestic sphere.
- Domestic work: Integral to social and economic functioning, yet undervalued and largely invisible.
- Policy challenge: Need to balance cultural narratives, economic realities, and constitutional guarantees of equality.
Iran and India, ancient civilisations and new horizons
Context and Global Transition
- The post-WWII Western-led international order is under strain.
- Symptoms of crisis:
- Violations of international law.
- Trade wars and unilateral sanctions.
- Decline in credibility of global institutions (UN, WTO).
- Media manipulation and dominance of narratives.
- Environmental destruction and climate inaction.
- U.S. hegemony has weakened; its traditional tools (finance, technology monopoly, human rights discourse, media influence) are less effective.
Relevance: GS II (International Relations – India’s Foreign Policy, South-South Cooperation, Role of Civilisational States) & GS I (World History – Rise of New Global Order, Civilisational Studies).
Practice Question:
The weakening of the Western-led order has opened space for civilisational states like India and Iran to shape a multipolar world. Discuss how their shared history, values, and strategic initiatives can contribute to building a just global order.(250 Words)
Rise of the Global South
- Many developing nations are asserting independence and rejecting historical domination.
- Tools of empowerment:
- Indigenous science, technology, and industrial development.
- Strengthened defence and security capacity.
- Alternative political and economic frameworks (BRICS, SCO).
- Shift from dependency to self-reliance and multipolarity.
Civilisational Dimension: India & Iran
- Both represent ancient civilisations with enduring cultural influence.
- Historical traits:
- Valued peace, fought wars only in defence.
- Even when militarily subdued, influenced conquerors through culture, governance, philosophy, and art.
- Islamic influence enriched both civilisations → continuity of values such as spirituality, respect for diversity, inner purification.
Modern Struggles for Independence
- India: Anti-colonial struggle, leadership of Non-Aligned Movement, resistance to external pressure.
- Iran: Nationalisation of oil (1950s), Islamic Revolution (1979), defiance against sanctions and external interference.
- Both faced high costs for independence but did not compromise sovereignty.
Shared Contemporary Role
- Civilisational values: Peace, spirituality, respect for nature and diversity.
- Strategic collaboration:
- South–South cooperation.
- Joint role in BRICS, SCO.
- Strategic projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
- Goal: Offer an alternative model to domination-based world order → rooted in justice, equality, and participation.
The Palestine Issue
- Seen as a litmus test of global justice for the Global South.
- Palestine represents resistance against occupation and Western hypocrisy on human rights.
- Iran frames its nuclear energy rights within the same struggle → right of developing nations to pursue technology and growth.
Multilateralism and Economic Alternatives
- BRICS: Platform for de-dollarisation, reducing dependence on Western-dominated finance.
- INSTC: More than a trade corridor — civilisational link between India, Iran, Eurasia, and Africa, stabilising West Asia.
- Potential to create a more inclusive and participatory global economy.
Critique of U.S. Role in Asia
- West Asia:
- U.S. accused of preventing indigenous security frameworks.
- Support to Israel and involvement in conflicts (Iraq, Syria, Yemen).
- South Asia:
- U.S. interventions shaped rise/decline of terrorist groups.
- Shifts between counterterrorism and tactical accommodation based on interests.
Turning Point in Global Order
- Emerging powers and civilisational states (India, Iran, China, Brazil, etc.) are redefining the balance.
- Contest between:
- Domination-based order (West, led by U.S.).
- Participation-based order (multipolar Global South).
- India and Iran positioned as moral and cultural leaders in this shift.
