27-03-2024 CARE mains practice

Topic- Welfare of vulnerable sections:

Introduction:

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging increased focus on a hidden epidemic: Violence against women with disabilities and older women. A recent press release by the global health agency highlighted the lack of data on this issue, calling for better research and tailored support for these vulnerable populations.  Indian Government has taken several initiatives to make sure that Persons with Disabilities and elderly women are able to live their lives with dignity and respect. However, the lack of data about the disabled and older women who face violence further hampers the ability of civil society to advocate for them.

Body :

• Data gap
• Common forms of abuse
• Steps suggested by WHO
• Indian government initiatives for welfare of old age women
• Initiatives taken by the Indian government for PwDs

Conclusion :                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development. However, even with the pathbreaking RPwD Act of 2016, disabled people, especially old women are not seen as right holders or enforcers.

UPSC Syllabus Welfare of vulnerable sections:

 

Why was this question asked?

Q. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (UPSC Main 2022)

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging increased focus on a hidden epidemic: Violence against women with disabilities and older women. A recent press release by the global health agency highlighted the lack of data on this issue, calling for better research and tailored support for these vulnerable populations.  Indian Government has taken several initiatives to make sure that Persons with Disabilities and elderly women are able to live their lives with dignity and respect. However, the lack of data about the disabled and older women who face violence further hampers the ability of civil society to advocate for them.

Body Status : 

Data gap

• Existing data suggests a high prevalence of violence against these groups, the WHO said. However, the true scope of the problem remains unclear due to a critical gap in data collection.
• This data gap stems from several factors.
• Stigma and discrimination can prevent women from reporting abuse. Additionally, older women and women with disabilities may face challenges accessing services or support, or their accounts may be dismissed by responders / authorities.
• One systematic review by WHO indicated heightened risks of intimate partner violence for women with disabilities compared to those without, while another identified elevated rates of sexual violence among this demographic.
• For older women and women with disabilities, their dependency and isolation are further exploited by perpetrators, increasing their risk of abuse.

 

Common forms of abuse

• Physical abuse: A WHO review among women aged 60 years and older revealed that physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence remained the most common forms of abuse.
• Psychological abuse: However, with partners aging, some women noted a transition from primarily physical and/or sexual violence to psychological abuse, such as threats of abandonment and other controlling behaviours.
• Prevalent forms of abuse: Intimate partner and sexual violence rank among the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence worldwide, impacting approximately 1 in 3 women.
• Despite this, older women and women with disabilities continue to endure these types of violence, along with specific risks and additional forms of abuse, the WHO warned.
• Abuse by caregivers: In some cases, caregivers or healthcare professionals may perpetrate these abuses, including coercive and controlling behaviours such as withholding medications, assistive devices, or other essential aspects of care, as well as financial exploitation.

 

Steps suggested by WHO

• WHO emphasised the need for improved data collection methods that are inclusive of women with disabilities and older women.  This will require collaboration among governments, researchers and organisations working with these populations.
• It also highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of violence, such as harmful gender norms and attitudes. Additionally, WHO calls for the development and implementation of comprehensive support services tailored to the specific needs of older women and women with disabilities.
• WHO has also created a survey module to facilitate data collection on violence against older women, designed to complement existing surveys. Later in the year, resources will also be released to aid in the incorporation of disability measures into such surveys.

 

Indian government initiatives for welfare of old age women

• The Government of India is implementing various schemes and programmes to provide healthy, empowered dignified and self-reliant life to senior citizens.
• Elder Line: Toll-Free Number for Elderly: It provides information, guidance, emotional support – particularly on pension, medical and legal issues – besides immediate assistance in cases of abuse.
• It is devised to provide all senior citizens, or their well-wishers, with ONE platform across the country to connect and share their concerns and get information and guidance on problems that they face on a day-to-day basis.
• The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a welfare program run by the Ministry of Rural Development that provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows, and people with disabilities.
• The program aims to ensure minimum national standards in addition to the benefits that the states are currently providing or might provide in future. The NSAP only includes beneficiaries below the poverty line.
• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): It is a Pension Scheme announced by the Government of India exclusively for the senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
• Integrated Program for Older Persons (IPOP): The main goal of this policy is to improve the quality of life of senior citizens. This is done by providing them with various basic amenities such as food, shelter, medical care, and even entertainment opportunities.
• Rashtriya Vayoshree Yojana: It is a central sector scheme funded from the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. The fund was notified in the year 2016. All unclaimed amounts from small savings accounts, PPF and EPF are transferred to this fund.

 

Initiatives taken by the Indian government for PwDs

• Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme: The scheme was originally created in 1999 and revised in 2003. The main goals of the DDRS are to improve educational opportunities for people with disabilities, to expand vocational and professional opportunities, and to assist with employment placement efforts.
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities: The 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD) satisfies India’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory.
• The 2016 act broadens the definition of disability to include not only physical but also mental and intellectual disabilities.
• District Rehabilitation Centre(DRC) Scheme –DRS is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Gov. of India, to help disabled people in rural regions. Under this scheme, DRCs are proposed to be set up in every district of the country with a view to providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities living in rural areas.
• Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase / Fitting of Aids and Appliances Scheme: This scheme was started by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with the goal of helping handicapped people improve their economic situation. The scheme provides financial assistance to eligible disabled persons for the purchase/fitting of aids and appliances. It also covers costs related to repairs, maintenance, and replacement of equipment.

Conclusion

Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development. However, even with the pathbreaking RPwD Act of 2016, disabled people, especially old women are not seen as right holders or enforcers.

Topic- India- Philippines Relations:

Introduction

India’s ‘Act East Policy’ promotes economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels. It involves intensive and continuous engagement with Southeast Asian countries. The impact of this policy can be seen in India’s ties with the Philippines which have seen very perceptible growth in recent times. The bilateral trade between the two nations crossed the USD 3 billion level in 2023. Apart from trade and investment, relation is extending to health and food security, education and science and technology, defence and maritime cooperation.

Body

• • • • India’s Act East policy
      • Background of India-Philippines relations
      • Trade and commerce
      • Defence and security
      • China factor

Conclusion

With the Act East Policy initiated in 2014, the relationship with Philippines has diversified into political-security; trade and industry and people-to-people realms. New Delhi has maintained strong ties with Manila, exemplified by the recent contract to supply three batteries of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines, aimed at countering China’s influence in the South China Sea. India, as a proud non-aligned member of BRICS and a member in the U.S.-led “Quad,” supports Philippines.

 

UPSC Syllabus India- Philippines Relations:

 

Why was this question asked?

Q. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. (UPSC Main 2016)

Introduction:

India’s ‘Act East Policy’ promotes economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels. It involves intensive and continuous engagement with Southeast Asian countries. The impact of this policy can be seen in India’s ties with the Philippines which have seen very perceptible growth in recent times. The bilateral trade between the two nations crossed the USD 3 billion level in 2023. Apart from trade and investment, relation is extending to health and food security, education and science and technology, defence and maritime cooperation.

Body Status

India’s Act East Policy

• The Act East Policy which was started in November 2014, focuses on the Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN at its core.
• The objective of Act East Policy is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, thereby providing enhanced connectivity in its broadest sense.

 

Background of India-Philippines relations

• India and the Philippines have had diplomatic relations since 1949, shortly after both countries gained independence. The two countries have signed a number of agreements, including:
• Joint Commission on Bilateral Co-operation: Signed in 2007 to strengthen cooperation in trade, economics, and science
• Defence cooperation agreement: Signed in 2006
• Policy Consultation Talks: Established in 2000 to discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues
• Security Dialogue: Established to share security assessments and review and direct cooperation in bilateral/regional security and defense matters
• Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Custom Matters: Signed in 2022 and ratified in June 2023 to facilitate trade.

 

Trade and commerce

• The bilateral trade between the two nations crossed the USD 3 billion level in 2023.
• The Philippines exports gold, office machine parts, and gas turbines to India.
• The two countries are also exploring cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Renewable Energy.
• India and Philippines signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on Defense Industry and Logistics Cooperation, Agriculture Cooperation, collaboration between the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Philippines’ Foreign Service Institute, cooperation on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), and a partnership between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the University of the Philippines to establish a chair of India studies.

 

Defence and security

• India and the Philippines share a common interest in the Indo-Pacific, envisioning it as free, open, and inclusive.
• India has strongly supported Philippines in defending its national sovereignty.
• In January 2022, the Philippines reached an agreement with India to purchase three batteries of the shore-based anti-ship variant of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles.
• In 2023, 21 personnel of the Philippines navy underwent training in India to operate the missile systems. This is the first export order for the Brahmos, a joint Indo-Russian development.

 

China Factor

• China’s activities in the South China Sea constitute a “major challenge” for the Philippines.
• Most of the activities by the maritime units and “land reclamation” by China are taking place inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines in the South China Sea.
• Philippines does not recognise the “so called nine dash line” in the South China Sea that Beijing uses to claim most of the crucial water body.
• Manila had approached an international tribunal at The Hague challenging China’s position over the South China Sea. In a rulingdelivered in 2016, the tribunal had supported the Philippines’ position over the South China Sea that China had rejected.

Conclusion

With the Act East Policy initiated in 2014, the relationship with Philippines has diversified into political-security; trade and industry and people-to-people realms. New Delhi has maintained strong ties with Manila, exemplified by the recent contract to supply three batteries of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines, aimed at countering China’s influence in the South China Sea. India, as a proud non-aligned member of BRICS and a member in the U.S.-led “Quad,” supports Philippines.