16 Oct 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Israel, Hamas, and the laws of war

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Mains: Israel- Hamas conflict

Context

The article discusses the Israel-Hamas conflict and the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) to the ongoing conflict, addressing issues such as civilian killings, hostage-taking, and blockades.

Introduction

• The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to significant civilian casualties and violations of international law.
• This article explores the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) to the conflict, addressing issues related to civilian killings, hostage-taking, blockades, and more.

The Laws of War

• International law governs the use of force in international relations (jus ad bellum) and the conduct of parties in armed conflicts (jus in bello/IHL).
• IHL, contained in the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, aims to protect civilians and minimise suffering during armed conflicts.
• All parties involved in an armed conflict, regardless of their justifications, must adhere to IHL.

Application of IHL to the Conflict

• The Israel-Hamas conflict falls under the category of a non-international armed conflict (NIAC), as it involves non-governmental forces (Hamas) against governmental forces (Israel).
• Parties to a conflict, in this case, Israel and Hamas, are bound by IHL.

Civilian Killings

• IHL mandates a clear distinction between combatants and civilians, prohibiting attacks on civilians and civilian objects.
• Indiscriminate attacks that do not differentiate between combatants and civilians are illegal.
• Both Israel and Hamas are bound to adhere to these principles, making civilian killings illegal.

Hostage-Taking

• Hamas has taken Israelis hostage, which is recognized as a war crime by international law.
• The International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute specifically addresses hostage-taking as a crime.

Gaza Strip Blockade

• Israel’s plan to block supplies to the Gaza Strip is considered collective punishment, which is illegal under IHL.
• Collective punishment punishes an entire group for the actions of individuals and is not permitted.
• Israel’s actions violate fundamental IHL principles.

Warning to Civilians and Investigations

• Warring parties must provide effective advance warnings to civilians before attacking.
• Civilians should be given sufficient time to evacuate, and those who do not evacuate should still be protected.
• Both Israel and Hamas must respect their IHL obligations, and an investigation into war crimes is essential.

Nut Graf: The Israel-Hamas conflict, a non-international armed conflict (NIAC), is subject to international humanitarian law (IHL). IHL mandates a clear distinction between combatants and civilians, prohibits hostage-taking, and condemns collective punishment. Both parties must adhere to IHL principles, and an investigation into war crimes is crucial.

C. GS 3 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials

Category: INDIAN ECONOMY

1. The world needs to stop taking water for granted

Syllabus:  Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it, Food Security, Irrigation Systems

GS- III

Category- Indian Economy

Prelims- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme(WFP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Climate smart agriculture

Mains- Importance of Water and Food Security, Impact of Climate Change on agriculture

Introduction

• ‘Water is Life, Water is Food’ has been chosen as the theme for World Food Day highlighting the need for better water management practices. 

Water crisis: A pressing concern

• Climate change has led to an increase in extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and unseasonal rains, which directly impact agricultural production. 
• These changes in weather patterns alter crop productivity and shift growing seasons, ultimately affecting food and nutrition security. 
• In India, 60% of the net sown area is rainfed, contributing to 40% of the country’s total food production. 
• However, poor water management practices, including misuse and pollution, have resulted in a reduction of freshwater availability, making small-scale farmers more vulnerable to climate shocks and land degradation. 
• Without proper adaptation measures, the government estimates that rainfed rice yields will decrease by 20% in 2050 and 47% in 2080, while irrigated rice yields will decline by 3.5% in 2050 and 5% in 2080. 
• Additionally, wheat yields are expected to decrease by 19.3% in 2050 and 40% in 2080, and kharif maize yields could decline by 18% and 23%. 
• The lack of access to finance, technology, and irrigation further exacerbates the challenges faced by small-scale farmers, directly affecting their livelihoods and incomes.
  

Existing Support for Adaptation and Mitigation

• • Climate change poses a threat to crop yields and nutritional quality. 
  • Irrigation can help farmers grow high-value crops and enhance their livelihoods. 
  • The UN’s food agencies emphasize the need for innovative approaches to managing water resources. 
  • Climate-smart agriculture practices and technologies can help rainfed farmers adapt to these changes. Sustainable water management is crucial for food and nutrition security.

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• • • In India, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is piloting a crop forecasting framework to aid rainfed farmers. 
    • It also has programs to improve water use efficiency, such as the Farmer Water School and the Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems project. 

• World Food Programme(WFP)

• • WFP supports soil and water conservation efforts by assisting in construction of canals etc.
  • It has collaborated with the Government of Odisha to enhance small scale farmer’s resilience through solar technologies, community-based climate advisory services, and a millet value chain that reduces water usage and improves nutrition.

• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

• The organization promotes environmentally and socially sustainable micro-irrigation infrastructure through the MGNREGA scheme. 
• The IFAD has also set ambitious targets for mitigating climate change and supporting farmers through climate-resilient seed varieties, climate-sensitive agricultural practices, and soil management training.

Way Ahead

• Ensuring global food and nutrition security requires political commitment 
• Investment in agricultural infrastructure, promoting innovative technologies that enhance farmers’ productivity, climate resilience, and shock resistance is the need of the hour. 
• Sustainable irrigation and water management practices, while ensuring access to sanitation and clean drinking water for rural communities is necessary. 
• Efficient food and water recycling methods are crucial for conservation. 
• Innovative initiatives like Solar 4 Resilience, Secure Fishing, and millet revival can serve as models for future development efforts focused on renewable energy, food security, and nutrition.

Nut Graf: Climate change is aggravating water scarcity in India, posing a serious threat to food and nutrition security. Ensuring global food and nutrition security requires sustained political commitment and investment in agricultural infrastructure, innovative technologies, and sustainable water management practices

2. Closing the gender pay gap in the workforce

Syllabus:  Indian Economy and issues relating to Growth, Development and Employment.

GS- III

Category- Indian Economy

Prelims-  Female labor force participation rate, Claudia Goldin, 2023 Economics Nobel Prize winner

Mains- Reasons for low female labor force participation rate

Introduction: 

• The labor force participation rate (LFPR) in India decreased to 39.5% in the fiscal year 2022–2023 according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).
• In other words, of all the Indians aged 15 years and above, only 39.5% are even asking for a job. Among men, this proportion was 66% and among women, just 8.8%.

Understanding low LFPR

• Earlier, the hypothesis was that women were absent from the workforce because they were caring for children at home.
• They were paid less than men because they had lower education levels.
• However, feminist economists and sociologists have disagreed with this. 
• Claudia Goldin, the 2023 Economics Nobel Prize winner, has highlighted the fact that the problem is not at home but in the labor market.

Claudia Goldin’s work in understanding the labor market

• Goldin argues that as economic production moved from home to factories, women were excluded from market activities.
• Women found jobs in offices, schools, and hospitals but still earned less than men despite having higher education levels. 
• Goldin argues that women’s inability to take on jobs involving long hours and irregular work schedules are due to parental responsibilities.
• This leads to women taking on fewer opportunities for career advancement and being stuck on the “mommy track”.
• Gender ideologies place a burden on women to take on extra family duties while men focus on their careers.
• Goldin also blames gender inequality on “greedy work” in the labor market which demands extraordinary effort from workers who are then rewarded with higher salaries and faster promotions. 
• Companies prefer hiring two workers who work long hours rather than three workers who work regular hours as it reduces costs like health insurance, office space, and personnel services.
• Due to the difficulties discussed above, finding extra time to benefit from this is low for women. 
• Additionally, rising income inequality leads couples to prioritize increasing family income over gender equality within the household.
• Goldin’s solution is restructuring the workplace to have moderate work hours, predictable schedules, and not relying on heroic efforts.

Way Forward

• The growth of the service sector, rising education, and declining fertility rates (hence reducing parental responsibility) should provide more job opportunities for women.
• To capitalize on these changes, society must create jobs that accommodate family responsibilities and challenge traditional gender roles.
• Increasing male participation in household work and childcare is crucial, but it’s not enough to achieve gender equality in the workforce.
• Reshaping the work environment and social norms is necessary to establish a work-life balance for both men and women.
• Addressing issues beyond the workplace, such as schools that rely heavily on parental involvement with children and urban developments locating homes far from workplaces, is vital to creating more opportunities for women.
• The ultimate goal should be to attain a “grand gender convergence” in labor market outcomes, as proposed by economist Claudia Goldin.

Nut Graf: The gender pay gap in the workforce is a complex issue with deep-rooted causes. Claudia Goldin’s research highlights the role of labor market discrimination and gender ideologies in perpetuating this gap. In addition to addressing issues within the workplace, society must also challenge traditional gender roles and create jobs that accommodate family responsibilities.

F. Prelims Facts

G. Tidbits