GS-1: Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues

In News:Manoj Kumar Jha writes: My invisible knapsack of privilege

2.Analyse the interplay of caste, gender, and religion in perpetuating social inequalities in India. Discuss how these intersecting identities contribute to systemic privilege and marginalisation, and propose measures for fostering inclusivity and equity in Indian society.

India’s social fabric is intricately woven with the threads of caste, gender, and religion, leading to systemic inequalities that affect various aspects of life. These intersecting identities not only contribute to privilege for some but also result in marginalisation for others.

Interplay of caste, gender, and religion:

1. Caste system:
   ● Creates rigid hierarchies that dictate access to resources; upper castes enjoy privileges while Dalits face systemic barriers.
   ● Ministry of Social Justice (2020): Only 25% of SC individuals accessed higher education compared to over 50% from upper castes.
   ● In Vazhuthalambedu near Chennai, after 12 years of exclusion, Dalits were finally allowed to pray at the temple following intervention by local authorities.
2. Gender discrimination:
   ● Women from marginalised communities experience dual discrimination, limiting their access to education and employment.
   ● The “Women and Men in India 2023” report by MoSPI indicates that the female labour force participation rate was only 25% in rural areas and below 20% in urban areas.
   ● NFHS-5 reported that 27.3% of women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18,
3. Religious factors:
   ● Religion complicates dynamics; for instance, Muslim women face unique challenges from both gender and religious discrimination.
   ● NFHS-5: Muslim women reported higher domestic violence rates (18.4%) than Hindu women (15.5%) indicating intersectional challenges faced by religious minorities.

Systemic privilege and Marginalisation

1. Access to education:
   ○ Upper-caste individuals have better access to quality education; marginalised groups face barriers despite policies like the Right to Education.
   ○ According to the MoSPI, the dropout rate for girls in secondary education is significantly higher than for boys, particularly in rural areas.
2. Employment opportunities:
   ○ Reservation policies aim to provide opportunities but are often undermined by societal biases.
   ○ The Ministry of Labour and Employment reported that women occupy only about 14% of leadership roles in corporate sectors as of 2020.
3. Healthcare access:
   ○ Marginalised groups encounter discrimination within healthcare systems, leading to poorer health outcomes.
   ○ NFHS-5 data shows that caste-based inequalities in health coverage were pronounced
   ○ The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that only about 44% of women from marginalised communities receive adequate healthcare services during pregnancy.

Measures for fostering inclusivity and equity

1. Policy reforms: Strengthen affirmative action policies and ensure effective implementation for marginalised communitiesEx:MGNREGA
2. Educational initiatives: Promote inclusive education that reflects diverse backgrounds; train teachers on cultural sensitivity. Ex:Beti Bachao Beti Padhao- improving the education of girls from disadvantaged backgrounds
3. Workplace diversity programs: Adopt DEI initiatives to promote representation from marginalised groups and implement mentorship programs.
4. Community engagement: Engage with marginalised communities through dialogues to understand their experiences and needs.NGOs like Goonj work directly with marginalised communities
5. Legal frameworks: Revise laws to address intersectional discrimination effectively.Ex:Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005)
6. Awareness campaigns: Conduct public campaigns to challenge societal norms and encourage discussions around privilege.Campaigns like “He for She” encourage men to advocate for gender equality

Addressing the interplay of caste, gender, and religion in India requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges systemic privilege and marginalisation. Targeted measures can foster inclusivity and equity, moving society towards greater justice.

PYQ

1. COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. 2020

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/why-india-is-building-a-cloud-chamber-mission-mausam-9633221/