Context:
The much-delayed women’s reservation bill was unanimously passed in the Indian parliament. As Indian citizens, it is essential to acknowledge that this triumph is a narrative interwoven with not only struggles but also threads of hope. The approval of this historic bill marks a celebration of the resilience and bravery demonstrated by Indian women in the face of challenges.
Relevance:
GS1- Role of Women
Mains Question:
It is crucial recognise the pivotal role women’s participation plays in driving inclusive and sustainable development in India. In this context, analyse the steps taken in this regard and comment on their efficacy in ensuring gender equality. (10 Marks, 150 Words).
Gender Equality:
- Gender equality is integral to the three main pillars of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), doubling the share of women in the workforce could elevate India’s GDP growth rate from 7.5 percent to 9 percent.
- Beyond economic considerations, gender equality and women’s empowerment are indispensable for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Significance of Women’s Reservation Bill:
- Throughout centuries, Indian women have battled against discrimination, marginalization, and violence to assert their fundamental rights and reclaim their standing in society.
- Despite confronting significant obstacles, Indian women have persevered, refusing to be passive observers and instead emerging as the architects of their own transformative journeys.
- The active participation of women is crucial for realizing demographic advantages in India. With one of the youngest populations globally, India must fully capitalize on its human capital.
- Empowering women through education and workforce participation can contribute significantly to strengthening India’s economic growth in the coming decades.
- Additionally, prioritizing women’s rights positions India as a responsible global power. As the home to one-sixth of humanity, our nation has a duty to lead in developing sustainable models that include women as equal partners.
- The current ranking of the country in the “UN: Women in Politics Report 2023” is 140th, reflecting a meager female representation of 15 percent in the Lok Sabha and 13.8 percent in the Rajya Sabha. In state legislative assemblies, women make up an average of 9 percent of total members.
- Therefore, the urgency for the women’s representation bill is not just a call for political reform but a fundamental stride towards societal advancement and inclusive governance.
- It is not merely a legislative requirement but a pivotal tool since having more women in positions of power and influence yields a range of benefits that extend well beyond gender equality.
- However, it was disheartening to witness the implementation of the bill being tied to two factors – census and delimitation, meaning it will come into effect many years after its passage.
Other Significant Initiatives:
- A decade has passed since the Indian government amended the Companies Act, requiring listed companies to have at least one woman on their board of directors. In 2013, India became the first developing country to implement quotas for women on boards.
- As of the end of FY23, more than 4,700 women directors were serving on the boards of 3,200 listed companies in the country.
- While this regulatory initiative has increased women’s representation in Indian corporate boardrooms to 18 percent in 2022, there is still much work to be done.
- The concerning fact that fewer than 20 percent of India’s women are involved in paid employment, in contrast to over 70 percent of men, highlights the pressing need to address this imbalance.
Way Forward:
- Despite the advancements, women continue to encounter distinctive challenges in their leadership journeys, including unconscious biases, limited access to mentorship and networking opportunities, and the ongoing struggle to balance work and personal responsibilities.
- India has taken the lead in reshaping the discourse on gender equality and empowerment, emphasizing not just women’s development but a more nuanced focus on women-led development.
- This narrative shift places women as active participants at the forefront of the development narrative, emphasizing their roles as agents, collaborators, and decision-makers in driving transformative socio-economic change.
- While applauding India’s efforts to establish benchmarks globally and regionally, there is a call for greater reflection on the national discourse surrounding women-led development.
Conclusion:
Celebrating women as catalysts capable of significant change raises the question of why more isn’t being done to harness this potential. Envision the transformative impact on society if we were to institutionalize women’s inherent potential at a national level! Aligning women’s empowerment with the vision of propelling India toward inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development is crucial. Failing to seize this opportunity would be a significant loss. The time for decisive action is now.
