1. “Despite claims of ‘Nari Shakti’ and women-led development, women in India continue to face violence in the domestic sphere and invisibilisation of their unpaid work. Discuss.”
| Syllabus: General Studies I: Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. |
The slogan of “Nari Shakti” and claims of women-led development contrast sharply with the ground realities of women’s lives in India. Violence within homes and invisibilisation of unpaid work remain pressing challenges.
1. Domestic Violence:
NFHS-5 reveals that 30% of women report intimate partner violence, but only 14% approach police. Cultural pressures force women to remain in abusive marriages, normalising violence in the domestic sphere.
2. Dowry Deaths:
From 2017–2022, about 35,000 women died due to dowry-related burnings (~7,000 per year), exposing the persistence of regressive practices despite legal prohibitions.
3. Unpaid Domestic Work:
Time Use Survey 2024: 93% of women spend 7 hours daily on unpaid household chores, while 70% of men do none. This creates a double burden for women, limiting leisure, rest, and self-development.
4. Caregiving Responsibilities:
41% of women perform unpaid caregiving work (2.5 hours daily), compared to 21% of men (~1 hour).This reinforces gendered stereotypes and reduces women’s participation in paid employment.
5. Lack of Policy Recognition:
ASHA, anganwadi, and mid-day meal workers are labelled as volunteers and paid honorariums, not minimum wages.Their essential services in health and child care remain undervalued.
6. Economic Loss:
SBI (2023) estimated unpaid domestic work by women equals 7% of India’s GDP, highlighting its invisible but crucial contribution.
7. Cultural and Ideological Barriers:
Opposition to criminalising marital rape in the name of “Indian culture” reflects regressive attitudes Such ideologies perpetuate women’s subordination in both the home and society.
Way Forward:
1. Strengthen Legal Safeguards
Ensure strict implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
Example: Fast-track courts for dowry deaths and domestic violence cases, like the Nirbhaya fast-track courts for sexual offences.
2. Criminalisation of Marital Rape
Recognise marital rape as a crime to uphold women’s dignity and bodily autonomy.
Example: Many countries such as the UK and South Africa have criminalised marital rape, showing India lags behind.
3. Recognition of Unpaid Work
Time Use Surveys should inform policies to account for unpaid care work in national income.
Example: State Bank of India (2023) estimated unpaid work by women could equal 7% of GDP (₹22.5 lakh crore annually).
4. Equal Pay and Labour Rights
Treat ASHA, Anganwadi, and Mid-day Meal workers as government employees with minimum wages.
Example: In Kerala, Anganwadi workers receive higher honorariums and social security benefits compared to other states.
5. Gender-sensitive Public Services
Expand universal childcare and elderly care facilities.
Example: Iceland and Scandinavian countries provide state-supported childcare, enabling higher female workforce participation.
6. Cultural Transformation
Launch campaigns encouraging men to share domestic work.
Example: “Share the Load” campaign by Ariel (India) challenged gender stereotypes in household chores.
7. Empowerment through Representation
Ensure effective implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 in legislatures and Panchayati Raj institutions.
Example: Women sarpanches in states like Rajasthan and Bihar have demonstrated positive governance outcomes in health, sanitation, and education.
2. Examine how South-South cooperation, platforms such as BRICS, and projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) can reshape the global order in favour of the Global South.
| Syllabus: General Studies II : Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. |
The Western-led global order is increasingly facing crises of legitimacy and effectiveness. In this backdrop, the Global South is asserting greater agency through collective platforms. Initiatives like South-South cooperation, BRICS, and INSTC reflect this shift. They aim to build a more multipolar and equitable international system.
1. Countering Western Dominance
BRICS challenges the monopoly of Western powers in global finance, technology, and governance.
Example: New Development Bank offers alternatives to IMF/World Bank loans.
2. Promoting Multipolarity
Collective platforms like BRICS enlarge the strategic space for Global South countries.
Example: BRICS expansion in 2023 includes energy-rich and emerging economies.
3. Economic Independence through Connectivity
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) reduces dependence on Western-controlled trade routes. Links India, Iran, Russia, Central Asia → enhancing resilience of regional economies.
4. De-dollarisation and Financial Sovereignty
BRICS promotes local currency trade, reducing reliance on the US dollar.
Example: India–Russia oil trade increasingly settled in rupee/dirham.
5. Technological and Developmental Cooperation
South-South exchanges foster indigenous science, technology, and knowledge sharing.
Example: India’s IT and digital payment systems aiding African countries.
6. Strategic Autonomy & Regional Security
Cooperation strengthens sovereignty against external interventions.
Example: Iran resisting unilateral sanctions; India maintaining independent foreign policy.
7. Cultural and Civilisational Leadership
Ancient civilisations like India and Iran provide values of peace, diversity, and sustainability. These can shape a more humane and inclusive world order. Combining economic projects INSTC,financial initiatives BRICS, NDB, de-dollarisation, and civilisational values, the Global South can move towards a multipolar, participatory and just international system.