Women's Reservation in Indian Politics: A Historical Perspective and Current Challenges
Introduction:
- The Modi government’s unexpected announcement of the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam” (Statute Revering Women’s Power) Bill, after nearly a decade of silence, has sparked discussions and debates.
- Although the bill has passed both Houses of Parliament with minimal opposition, questions linger about its late presentation and the attached conditionalities that obscure its actual implementation.
- The uncertain future of women’s reservations, even as a law, raises concerns.
Colonial Beginnings:
- The early 20th century saw the possibility of women entering political life, driven by the colonial state’s response to Indian nationalism. Women’s organizations emerged to advocate for social reform and expanded voting rights for women.
- However, differing views on reservations existed within women’s leadership. Some opposed any form of reservation, while others believed that structural disadvantages necessitated reservations to ensure women’s representation in legislatures.
What Changed?
- The preparation for the Indian Constitution did not witness support for women’s reservations, and no change in attitude was evident until the 1970s when the “Towards Equality” report highlighted the dwindling presence of women.
- Despite this, the majority of the committee opposed political reservations for women. The resurgence of the women’s movement in the late 1970s and 1980s focused on issues like custodial rape and dowry deaths but did not address the lack of women in political roles.
A Shift in Orientation:
- In the 1990s, a shift in orientation became noticeable, with growing support for reservations for women in village panchayats and later at the state and national levels.
- However, the debate remained complex, with some parties demanding sub-quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBC) women to counteract the perceived favoring of upper-caste women.
- The nuanced forms of patriarchal exclusion were not widely acknowledged.
Current Situation:
- Today, there is widespread support for women’s reservations, but it appears to be in the context of a belief that patriarchy has diminished.
- The ruling party views the bill as another welfare scheme, rather than a historic law granting women participation in shaping state policy.
- Vigilance is needed against self-congratulation, as the mere presence of women in politics may not guarantee women’s equality and freedom.
- The law, in the current ideological climate, presents a challenge rather than an achievement.
Conclusion:
The “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam” is a significant development, but its implementation should be approached with caution. It is vital to recognize the diverse and unequal forms that patriarchy takes in excluding women from public life.
Additionally, the idea that the mere presence of women in electoral politics will automatically lead to gender equality needs to be critically examined. The waiting period before the law takes effect should be used for introspection and reevaluation of how women’s electoral presence can contribute to a more egalitarian and inclusive society.
Navigating the Future: India's Leadership in AI and Child-Centric Regulation
Introduction: AI’s Strategic Importance for India
- India is set to host the first-ever global summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in October, underlining the strategic significance of AI in the country’s economy.
- As the Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), India will also host the GPAI global summit in December.
- These events emphasize AI’s potential to contribute $500 billion to India’s economy by 2025, constituting 10% of its GDP target.
Prime Minister Modi’s Call for Ethical AI Framework
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the development of a global ethical framework for AI.
- Given India’s capacity to generate vast amounts of data, it has an opportunity to set a policy example, particularly for countries in the Global South.
- Observers are keen to see how India addresses the regulation of AI, balancing its developmental potential against inherent risks.
Child-Centric Regulation: A Crucial Aspect of AI Governance
- One area where India can take a leadership role is in the regulation of AI concerning children and adolescents, a demographic often overlooked in this context.
- Many advanced AI applications are not specifically designed for children but are accessible to them, posing governance challenges.
- Regulation needs to align incentives to mitigate issues such as addiction, mental health, and safety concerns.
- Failure to do so may allow data-hungry AI-based digital services to exploit young people through opaque algorithms and dark patterns, leading to issues like body image problems, misinformation, radicalization, cyberbullying, sexual grooming, and doxing.
Addressing the Indirect Effects of Parental Online Activities
- In addition to direct AI-related threats, young people must cope with the indirect effects of their parents’ online activities.
- “Sharents” regularly post photos and videos of their children online, necessitating tools for young individuals to manage unintended consequences, such as AI-powered deep fakes, which can be misused to create and distribute explicit content online.
Intersectional Identities and Bias in AI
- India’s diverse population represents various intersectional identities based on gender, caste, tribal identity, religion, and linguistic heritage.
- AI is known to perpetuate real-world biases and inequities into the digital realm. This bias and discrimination can disproportionately affect children and adolescents from marginalized communities.
Improving Child-Centric AI Regulation
- India’s current data protection law does not adequately address the unique challenges posed by AI for children.
- It shifts the responsibility onto parents without facilitating safe platform operations and design.
- The upcoming Digital India Act (DIA) should aim to better protect children’s interests when interacting with AI.
Emphasizing International Best Practices and Adaptability
- International best practices, such as UNICEF’s guidance on child-centered AI and California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, can serve as templates for Indian regulation.
- It is essential to consider the varying developmental stages of children and adolescents when crafting AI regulations. Research should inform the creation of an Indian Age Appropriate Design Code for AI.
Incorporating Child Input and Establishing Institutions
- Effective regulation should include mechanisms for regular dialogue with children to gather their insights and concerns regarding AI-based digital services.
- Establishing institutions similar to Australia’s Online Safety Youth Advisory Council can help tailor regulation to better protect young people while preserving the benefits of digital services.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Child-Centric AI Regulation
- As AI continues to evolve rapidly, regulation should prioritize standards, strong institutions, and best practices that promote openness, trust, and accountability.
- India’s pursuit of global leadership in AI regulation should keep the interests of its young citizens at the forefront.
This involves addressing the unique challenges and risks that AI poses to children and adolescents while harnessing its potential benefits.
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDIA: THE NARI SHAKTI VANDAN ADHINIYAM AND TRANSFORMATIVE GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
Introduction:
- The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, also known as the Women’s Reservation Bill, has emerged as a pivotal instrument in achieving political empowerment for women in India.
- The government’s commitment to this cause, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been unwavering.
- This commitment extends to a broader vision of “women-led development,” and over the past nine years, various initiatives have been launched to empower women and transform India’s social fabric.
Government’s Empowerment Initiatives
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has introduced several initiatives aimed at empowering women in various aspects of life. These initiatives include:
- Ujjwala Yojana: The widespread adoption of LPG cylinders under this scheme has significantly improved women’s health by promoting smoke-free kitchens.
- Swachhata Abhiyan: Access to toilets in homes through this program has enhanced women’s safety and preserved their dignity.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: An initiative to promote the education and well-being of girls, ensuring they have equal opportunities.
- MUDRA Yojana: Providing financial support to micro-level units and self-employed women, with a majority of loans sanctioned to women.
- Permanent Commissioning of Women in the Armed Forces: Offering equal opportunities for women in the armed services.
- Maternity Leave: Extending maternity leave benefits to support working mothers.
- Stand-Up India: Promoting entrepreneurship among women, with a significant portion of beneficiaries being women.
Transformative Progress
The impact of these empowerment initiatives is evident in various sectors:
- Education: Female participation in technical education, especially in STEM disciplines, has doubled since 2014, with nearly 43 percent of STEM graduates in India being women.
- Aviation: India boasts a high number of women pilots in civil aviation, and female pilots in the Indian Air Force now fly fighter aircraft.
- Security Forces: Posts for women in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the admission of girls in institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Sainik Schools have expanded opportunities for women in these sectors.
- Political Representation: About 46 percent of elected representatives in rural local bodies in India are women.
Acknowledging Past Initiatives
- The success of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam builds upon the groundwork laid by earlier initiatives, such as the 33 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj system introduced during former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s government.
- Many states have since increased this reservation to 50 percent at the grassroots level.
A Deeply Embedded Ethos
- The focus on women-led development is not merely a political strategy but a core value of the government.
- It acknowledges that a nation’s growth is closely linked to the empowerment of its women.
- This commitment is reflected in a multitude of policies and initiatives launched over the past nine years, with profound results.
Empowering Women for a Prosperous Nation
- The government’s commitment to women’s empowerment goes beyond politics and is integral to the nation’s growth.
- Empowering women translates to empowering the nation, and as India positions itself as a global economic force, the role of women becomes increasingly indispensable.
Conclusion
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam represents a historic step toward further empowering women and increasing their participation in political and governance processes.
India is on the cusp of a more inclusive and radiant future, with women at its heart.
This transformative journey signifies a shift in societal perceptions, where women are active contributors and shapers of the nation’s destiny.
India’s achievements in women’s empowerment set an example on the global stage, highlighting that with commitment, vision, and action, gender barriers can be overcome, leading to a more inclusive, prosperous, and balanced future for all.
