Date: 22/11/2022

Relevance: GS-1: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Key Phrases: Gender-based violence, 16 Days of Activism, Gender neutrality, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), and 1951 Refugee Convention.

Context:

• Annual “16 Days of Activism” against gender-based violence begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
• The global theme for 2022’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

Background:

• The world is marred with many challenges such as domestic violence, child marriage, trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.
• The recent events- coup in Myanmar, a Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscored the fact that women bear a disproportionate burden in conflict, especially those forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries.
• Economic stressors resulting from COVID-19 exacerbate the situation which has led to reversal of gender equality and the protection of civilians.
• In such circumstances the event aims to ensure that gender and protection deficits are reversed.
• It is important to unite to end violence against women and girls and empower them. Moreover, men should also be supported to become agents of change.

How India has fared in ensuring gender neutrality?

• India has championed programmes based on the rights and the development of women and girls and has progressed in protecting her daughters since Independence 75 years ago.
• Indian women received universal suffrage during India’s independence in 1947.
• India played a crucial role in ensuring gender-sensitive norms while drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For instance, the language of ‘all men are created equal’ was changed to ‘all human beings are created equal ’.
• India has also ratified key international conventions to end discrimination against women which include the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

‘Nari Shakti for New India’ is a reality

• Women in India continue to make progress in all areas of human endeavours, including politics, science, business, medicine, sports and agriculture.
• Since 2020 women are serving in the armed forces and as of today India has the largest number of women in the United Nations peacekeeping forces, thus showcasing the equal role that women can play in conflict-emerging countries and territories.
• The central and state governments have launched new schemes, policies and programmes ranging from the welfare of the girl child to supporting aspiring female entrepreneurs, to empower both urban and rural women and promote gender equality.
• Women’s protection has also been enhanced with far-reaching access to comprehensive services, regardless of legal status.
• Marginalized populations, such as refugees, have access to all the protection and assistance services.
• The ‘Nari Shakti for New India’ campaign represents the aspirations of millions of women in India- a clear display that women are leading from the front.

The case of refugee women in India

• There are over 2,12,000 refugees in India including those supported by the Government of India, more than half of whom are women and girls.
• India ensures that refugees can access protection services that are on a par with their fellow Indian hosts.
• Refugees registered directly by the Government such as those from Sri Lanka, are entitled to Aadhaar cards and PAN cards to enable their economic and financial inclusion.
  • They can have access to national welfare schemes and contribute effectively to the Indian economy.
• The refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) such as refugees from Afghanistan, Myanmar and other countries have access to protection and limited assistance services.
  • They do not possess government-issued documentation and thus are unable to open bank accounts, benefit from all government welfare schemes, and are thus inadvertently left behind.

Way forward

• Including all refugees in existing national welfare and economic schemes would ensure their effective inclusion in social protection systems.
  • It is aligned to India’s commitment to all women, their protection and empowerment, regardless of their legal status, and will ensure that no one is left behind.
• Empower and educate refugee women who face these barriers attributed to patriarchal and patrilineal traditions that are deeply entrenched in many societies

Conclusion

• The commitment to prioritize gender equal programming by the Government of India is commendable and its resulting economic and social potential for women will build societal resilience to handle future shocks.
• As the Prime Minister of India Recently observed, “The progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women” shows India’s commitment towards the refugee women and the government machinery should work in tandem to address issues of such refugees.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity, critically evaluate the statement in light of India’s policy decisions and welfare schemes towards refugees’ rehabilitation with a special focus on women refugees. (250 words)