Topic 1 : Does trust in national government matter?
Introduction
Globally, there are many countries where low levels of trust coexist with stable democracies and several others where distrust is so pervasive that democracy barely survives or simply dies. India as the world’s largest democracy faces a trust deficit but opinion is divided on the survival of democracy.
Public trust and confidence
- It is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of people in public offices, institutions and officials.
- It is a measure of public confidence and faith commanded by an officer or an politician or a government.
- It can be built by consistent performance and efficient delivery of expected services.
- A civil society is essential both to the community’s overall quality of life and to each individual’s sense of personal well-being.
- But a civil society is a fragile creation; it depends on public confidence in the institutions that society has invented to serve its needs.
- This confidence rests on a bed of learned beliefs and instilled hopes that, regardless of how circuitous the path, the ultimate product of our system of public and private institutions will be enhancement of the common good.
- This sense of confidence and belief in the triumph of the common good is tested regularly.
- And not surprisingly, it is often found wanting – more wishful thinking than reality. Still, it is one of the sustaining values that create civil balance.
Probity in governance
- Probity in governance is the quality of having strong moral principles such as honesty, integrity, accountability, and transparency in public service.
- It is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and for socio-economic development.
- It is concerned with procedures, processes, and systems rather than outcomes.
Some of the measures to ensure probity in governance are:
- Establishing a clear and comprehensive legal and ethical framework for public service, such as codes of conduct, oaths of office, disclosure of assets, whistle-blower protection, etc.
- Strengthening the institutions and mechanisms for oversight, accountability, and transparency, such as anti-corruption agencies, audit bodies, ombudsman, right to information, etc.
- Enhancing the capacity and professionalism of public officials through training, education, mentoring and performance appraisal.
- Encouraging the participation and engagement of civil society, media and citizens in monitoring and evaluating public service delivery and governance outcomes.
- Fostering a culture of integrity, ethics and values among public officials and citizens through awareness campaigns, role models, incentives, and sanctions.
Conclusion
Probity in governance is not only legal or a moral obligation but also a strategic necessity for good governance. It is a key determinant of administrative effectiveness and public trust. And Public trust in government is crucial for good governance, encompassing economic and social development of the region in a representative democratic setup.
Topic 2 : A demand that could hamper gender equality
Context
Paid leave for menstruation may create awareness on the subject but could end up widening the gender gap.
About
- The Sabrimala temple issue was one that ruled our collective consciousness.
- It was unfathomable that menstruating women were deemed ‘unfit’ to enter a temple.
- Echoes of ‘menstruation is not a disease, but a natural phenomena’ could be heard all around.
- This was a case that highlighted the ongoing struggle to eliminate discriminatory practices related to menstruation, and to promote gender equality.
- The demand for paid leave for menstruation works to undermine it.
- Menstrual cycles can be challenging — almost debilitating for some — but to collectively label all those belonging to a gender without considering the potential adverse effects, is trivialising the women empowerment movement.
On the global gender gap
- The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021 says that the gender global gap has widened (instead of shrinking).
- In the current situation, it would take the world 135.6 years to achieve gender equality.
- The participation of women in the labour force is significantly lower than that of men, and even fewer women hold leadership positions.
- If one adds mandatory paid leave for periods to this, it would end up further dissuading companies from hiring women.
- If the government ratifies ‘special status’ for menstruating women, it validates the social stigma around menstruation.
- The most recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS) report has highlighted how approximately 50% of women between the ages of 15 to 24 in India continue to rely on the use of cloth for menstrual protection.
- Experts caution that reusing cloth can increase the risk of contracting multiple infections, attributing this practice to a combination of insufficient awareness and societal taboo around menstruation.
- Arguments in favour of paid leave for menstruation will claim that granting special status to menstruation would aim to create subject awareness.
- But this would only magnify it. It could turn out to be another well-meaning step, but one that ends up widening the gender gap inadvertently.
The case of Japan
- There are countries such as Japan that provide leave for painful menstruation- but it is mostly unpaid, and unused.
- Women claim that they are reluctant to avail this leave and ‘broadcast’ that they are on their period, for the fear of sexual harassment.
- This is the situation (today), even though this policy was introduced in Japan more than seven decades ago. Data show(s) that a mere 0.9% of women in the workforce avail menstrual leave days in Japan.
A fight that continues
- In the recent past, women have fought to be on the front line in a war.
- The Supreme Court of India even urged the government to enable equal evaluation of women, and to have them undergo the same standards of testing as men.
- In response, the government argued that women are not suitable for ground combat roles.
- Women in corporate organisations are fighting for pay that is the equivalent to that drawn by their male counterparts.
Conclusion
Menstruation can be a blanket biological disadvantage. Recognising the diverse nature of menstrual experiences is essential. Tailoring support and being accommodative on a case-by-case basis promotes inclusivity.