Model Answer

Introduction

India faces a pressing challenge with 5.9 million infants classified as ‘zero food’ children—those aged 6 to 23 months who have not consumed significant calories in 24 hours. Alarmingly, the percentage of these children increased from 17.2% in 2016 to 17.8% in 2021. This situation underscores the critical need to prioritize maternal nutrition for several reasons.

Importance of Maternal Nutrition

1. Crucial First 1000 Days: Scientific studies indicate that the first 1000 days of an infant’s life are vital for nutritional development. Maternal health directly impacts the health of the child during this period.
2. Impact of Maternal Undernutrition: Maternal undernutrition contributes to approximately 20% of childhood stunting in India. Moreover, 20-30% of infants experience undernutrition even during the exclusive breastfeeding phase.
3. Consequences of Anaemia: According to the NFHS-5 survey, over 57% of women aged 15-49 suffer from anaemia, significantly affecting maternal and child health. India loses up to 1.18% of its GDP annually due to iron deficiency.

Strategies for Improvement

To effectively address the prevalence of ‘zero food’ children, maternal nutrition must be prioritized through:

• Increased Financial Commitment: Programs like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 require enhanced budget allocations. In 2022-23, 32% of funds under the POSHAN Abhiyaan were not utilized.
• Empowering Frontline Health Workers: Training and motivating frontline health workers (FHWs) can enhance service delivery and nutritional outcomes.
• Focusing on Adolescent Girls: Adolescence is critical for promoting dietary diversity. A gendered perspective in the National Nutrition Mission is necessary, especially given the 5% rise in anaemia among adolescent girls noted in NFHS-5.
• Awareness Campaigns: Educating mothers about nutrition during the first 1000 days can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce gender bias.
• Addressing Hidden Hunger: With 80% of adolescents suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, it is essential to focus on not just iron and folic acid, but also vitamins B12, D, and zinc.

Conclusion

Prioritizing maternal nutrition is essential for reducing the prevalence of ‘zero food’ children in India. By implementing targeted strategies, we can break the cycle of undernutrition and pave the way for a healthier future generation, contributing to the vision of a ‘Kuposhan-Mukt Bharat’.

Model Answer

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (PoSH Act) was enacted following the Vishakha Guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in 1997, in response to the Vishakha vs. State of Rajasthan case. These guidelines provided the first legal framework to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace until the PoSH Act replaced them in 2013, offering a more comprehensive legal solution to address workplace harassment for women.

Key Provisions of the PoSH Act, 2013

1. Scope and Coverage: The Act protects women employees as well as clients and customers from sexual harassment. It extends to both formal and informal work environments, including any place visited by the woman during her work, known as the “extended workplace.”
2. Complaint Mechanism: It mandates the formation of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in workplaces with 10 or more employees and a Local Committee (LC) for other workplaces, ensuring that complaints are heard at the organizational and district levels.
3. Safeguards for Victims: The Act ensures confidentiality of complaints, protection from retaliation, and the provision of legal aid to victims.
4. Relief and Punishment: The Act facilitates conciliation and provides interim relief for the victim during inquiry, alongside provisions for punishment and compensation for offenders.
5. Employer’s Duties: Employers are required to create safe workplaces, conduct awareness programs, submit annual reports, and face penalties for non-compliance.

Challenges in Implementation

1. Compliance Issues: In the Aureliano Fernandes vs. State of Goa (2023) case, the Supreme Court found that several national sports federations lacked sexual harassment panels as mandated, indicating non-compliance.
2. Lack of Reporting: The Aureliano Fernandes case also revealed that victims are hesitant to report incidents due to procedural barriers, lack of awareness, and fear of retaliation.
3. Independent External Members: The Punjab & Sind Bank vs. Durgesh Kuwar (2020) case highlighted that the external member of a committee was not independent, violating the Act’s provisions.
4. Improper Inquiry: The Vijaykumaran C.P.V vs. Central University of Kerala (2020) case ruled a professor’s termination as unlawful due to improper inquiry processes.

Measures to Enhance Effectiveness

1. Institutional Establishment: The government must ensure the timely constitution of committees at the national and state levels, as directed by the Supreme Court.
2. Training and Awareness: Regular training for committee members and workshops for women employees are essential to enhance understanding of the Act’s provisions.
3. Accountability: The Secretaries of ministries and Chief Secretaries of states must be held accountable for ensuring the Act’s implementation.

In conclusion, while the PoSH Act provides robust mechanisms for addressing workplace harassment, challenges like non-compliance and inadequate reporting remain. Effective implementation can be achieved through consistent institutional support, training, and accountability.

Model Answer

Socio-Economic Benefits of Women Entrepreneurship in India

Women entrepreneurship contributes significantly to India’s socio-economic development. The economic benefits include:

1. Higher Economic Growth: Women’s participation in employment and entrepreneurship can increase India’s GDP by $0.7 trillion by 2.
2. 2025Job Creation: Female entrepreneurs have the potential to create 150-170 million jobs in India by 2030 .
3. Per Capita Income: Higher Female Labour Force Participation boosts family income, contributing to an improved per capita income for the nation .
4. Women-Cenions: As women entrepreneurs focus on products that cater to female needs, they can help fill the gap in industries where male-led ventures dominate, leading to more inclusive solutions .

On the social front, the include

1. Balanced Regional Development: Women entrepreneurs often set up businesses in backward areas, contributing to regional economic development by utilizing government subsidies and resources .
2. Female Empowerment: Entrep helps women gain financial independence and break societal gender barriers .
3. Reduced Gender Gap: Women entreprearrows the gender compensation gap, dismantles the glass ceiling, and fosters a more inclusive corporate culture .
4. Improved Human Capital: Women tend to invesducation and health of their families, improving the overall human capital of the nation .

*Key Challenges Hindering Growth of Women Entrepreneurship

Despite the growing momentum, several barriers hinder women entrepreneurs:

1. Lack of Financial Support: Over 90% of women entrepreneurs rely on informal channels for finance as they struggle to access formal, collateral-free loans .
2. Social and Cultural Barriers: Gendered expectations limit womity and force them to juggle business with caregiving roles, restricting their entrepreneurial potential .
3. Limited Networking Opportunities: Women often lack access to essential mentors, and investors, which are crucial for business growth .
4. Technological Barriers: Many women face technological constraints that limit th to digital platforms, customers, and resources .
5. Gender Bias: Market discrimination against women hinders their ability to secure contracg, or customers, further exacerbated by a patriarchal workforce .

Despite these challenges, the rise of supportive government schemes and an evolving start-up ecosystem ihat India is moving towards achieving the target of 25% women entrepreneurs by 2025 .