What do you mean when you talk about obedience, compliance, and conformity? Talk about their significance in relation to India’s civil services. (150 words)
Model Answer Introduction In Indian culture, the principle of equal opportunity irrespective of gender identity is well-established. Despite the increasing number of women in public service, they face specific challenges that can hinder their effectiveness and uphold standards of probity. AddressingRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
In Indian culture, the principle of equal opportunity irrespective of gender identity is well-established. Despite the increasing number of women in public service, they face specific challenges that can hinder their effectiveness and uphold standards of probity. Addressing these challenges is essential for fostering an inclusive environment in governance.
Gender-Specific Challenges
1. Work-Life Balance Issues
- Female public servants often experience role conflict due to competing domestic and professional responsibilities, which can lead to occupational stress and reduced productivity. This is supported by Work-Family Conflict Theory.
2. Workplace Harassment
- Many women face harassment despite existing legal frameworks, affecting their psychological well-being. Strengthening the enforcement of the Vishaka Guidelines and the Sexual Harassment Act of 2013 is crucial.
3. Gender Bias and Stereotyping
- Entrenched gender roles contribute to the glass ceiling effect, limiting women’s access to leadership positions. According to the Department of Personnel and Training, women remain underrepresented in senior roles within the IAS.
4. Limited Access to Mentorship
- Women often lack mentorship and networking opportunities vital for career advancement. As noted by Kiran Bedi, limited access to mentors impedes growth in male-dominated fields.
5. Inadequate Facilities
- Structural barriers such as insufficient maternity leave and childcare facilities undermine women’s participation in public service. Implementing the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017 can provide necessary support.
Measures to Enhance Efficiency and Probity
1. Strict Enforcement of Harassment Laws
- Ensuring robust enforcement of existing laws can create a safer work environment. This aligns with Deterrence Theory, which posits that strict legal enforcement reduces misconduct.
2. Gender Sensitization Programs
- Workshops aimed at correcting biases can foster an inclusive workplace. Programs like HeForShe can effectively raise awareness of gender issues.
3. Promotion of Women Leadership
- Introducing quotas can help break the glass ceiling. The success of Panchayati Raj Institutions in empowering women leaders can serve as a model.
4. Equal Pay Audits
- Regular audits based on the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 can help address pay disparities and promote gender equity.
5. Improvement of Workplace Facilities
- Meeting physiological and safety needs is essential for women’s professional growth. Adequate facilities can enhance job satisfaction and retention.
Conclusion
Achieving gender equality in public service is vital for effective governance. By addressing gender-specific challenges and implementing supportive measures, we can enhance women’s contributions, ensuring integrity and probity in public service. As Mahatma Gandhi stated, “To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man’s injustice to woman.”
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Answer: Humans are susceptible to outside social pressures, for social situations have the power to change our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Conformity, compliance and obedience are the three such important social influence processes. If a person agrees to an act of commission or omission againRead more
Answer: Humans are susceptible to outside social pressures, for social situations have the power to change our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Conformity, compliance and obedience are the three such important social influence processes. If a person agrees to an act of commission or omission against his perception/value judgement, there may arise the following cases:
Many times, civil servants are found to conform to the social norms of their offices, despite considering them as undesirable, because they do not want to be perceived as ‘different’ or do not want the ‘displeasure’ of the group. They also conform to the norm because they believe that the majority in the civil services must be right and they would not be able to bring changes single- handedly. This social influence leads to the existence of elitist tendencies, red tapism in bureaucracy and corruption in public offices. Sometimes, civil servants have to comply i.e., respond favourably to an explicit or implicit request offered by others. For instance, in case of allotment of tenders, etc. When the political bosses help the civil servants in their promotion or transfer, it also creates an obligation on them to comply with the demands/requests of their bosses. The code of conduct rules therefore put several restrictions on civil servants such as limits on the value of gifts to be received by them from others.. Civil servants wield excessive powers. Therefore, they are made obedient through procedures established by laws. A chain of authority exists and it is imperative for the officers to follow orders of their seniors. Humans across the globe are found to be surprisingly obedient in the presence of perceived legitimate authority figures. However, greater respect is also being given to individual ethical judgment as a basis of moral decision-making.
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