13 Feb 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. A global alliance to bridge the gender equity gap

Syllabus: GS-1, Role of Women and Women’s Organization

Mains: India’s steps to bridge Gender gap

Introduction:

• India’s commitment to equality and inclusion is evident in various global declarations and initiatives.
• The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration at the G-20 and the launch of the ‘Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality’ at the World Economic Forum underscore this commitment.
• India aims to prioritise inclusion in areas such as socio-economic empowerment, digital access, climate action, and health.

Governance and Policy Initiatives:

• India has focused on mainstreaming gender equality through significant policy initiatives.
• The Women’s Reservation Bill, passed in 2023, reserves one-third of parliamentary and state assembly seats for women.
• The government’s commitment to women-led development is reflected in the allocation of $27 billion under the gender budget for 2023-24.

Progress and Achievements:

• India has seen improvements in female labour force participation and higher education enrollment.
• Female enrollment in STEM courses is notably high at 43%, reflecting progress in traditionally male-dominated fields.
• Participation of over nine crore women in self-help groups in rural India highlights socio-economic advancements.

Global Recognition and Participation:

• Global leaders are acknowledging India’s success stories in various fields, including space exploration, sports, and entrepreneurship.
• Initiatives like the We-Lead Lounge at Davos have garnered global interest and served as platforms for meaningful discussions on inclusive development.
• The Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality, anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership and supported by partners like the World Economic Forum, aims to channel global enthusiasm into actionable initiatives.

Opportunities for Collaboration:

• The Alliance presents an opportunity for the global industry to share best practices and invest in proven programs for women’s empowerment.
• Collaboration with industry, think tanks, and investors can advance the agenda of inclusion in healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
• India’s commitment to inclusive development and its leadership in areas like healthcare and digital innovation make the Alliance a significant force in addressing gender-related issues globally.

Nut Graf: India leads a global initiative for gender equity through the Alliance for Global Good. With policy advancements and societal progress, it aims to collaborate globally, driving inclusive development and empowering women economically and socially.

Category: POLITY

1. A record number of global voters exercise right in 2024

Syllabus: Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of Other Countries.

Mains: Trend of democracy all over the world

Introduction: Record Voter Turnout in 2024

• Over 50 countries, representing close to 45% of the global population, are holding or have held national-level elections in 2024, with some also participating in European Parliament elections.
• Projections suggest that 2024 could witness the highest number of votes cast in history, attributed to the rising global population and numerous countries conducting elections this year.
• Elections are predominantly concentrated in Asia, Europe, and Northern America, with some African and South American nations also participating.

Assessment of Election Fairness:

• An analysis of election fairness across these countries reveals a concerning trend of declining democracy in many nations.
• The Free and Fair Elections Index for 2022, compiled by the V-Dem Institute, evaluates factors such as election violence, government intimidation, fraud, irregularities, and vote buying, with scores ranging from 0 to 1.
• Notable concerns include low voter turnout and allegations of fraud, as seen in instances like Comoros, where the recent re-election of President Azali Assoumani faced accusations of fraud amid a 16% voter turnout due to the Opposition boycott.

Regional Performance in Election Fairness:

• Countries across various regions, including Asia, Europe, and Africa, exhibit mixed performance in election fairness.
• Nations like Pakistan and India in South Asia, as well as Russia, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia in Asia, rank relatively low in the free and fair elections index.
• Specific incidents, such as Pakistan’s political turmoil and India’s controversial mayor election in Chandigarh, highlight challenges to democratic processes in these regions.

Notable Developments and Challenges:

• Recent events, such as Boris Nadezhdin’s exclusion from Russia’s presidential election and allegations of ballot tampering in India’s Chandigarh mayor election, underscore ongoing challenges to fair elections.
• In the Free and Fair Elections Index from 2012 to 2022, countries like Comoros, India, and Hungary witnessed significant deterioration, while others like Uzbekistan and Romania showed improvement over the past decade.

Conclusion and Future Outlook:

• Despite a record number of global voters exercising their rights in 2024, concerns persist regarding the fairness of elections in many countries.
• Continuous monitoring and efforts to address issues such as electoral fraud, government intimidation, and irregularities are essential to safeguarding democracy and ensuring free and fair elections worldwide.

Nut Graf: In 2024, a surge in global elections prompts concerns about declining democracy, highlighted by issues such as low voter turnout and allegations of fraud. Regional disparities in election fairness underscore the urgent need for democratic safeguards.

Q1.Consider the following statements:

Q2) Group of monuments in Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 
were built by which dynasty?

Q3) Consider the following statements:

Q4) Consider the following statements:

Q5)‘Project Loon’ sometimes seen in the news is related to: