Leave benefits for women in armed forces made uniform (GS Paper 1, Social Issues)
Why in news?
- Defence Minister has recently approved a proposal to grant maternity, childcare and child adoption leave to women soldiers, sailors, and air warriors on a par with the officers.
- The move was in line with Ministry’s vision of “inclusive participation” of all women in the armed forces, irrespective of their ranks.
- The measure would improve the working conditions for women in the military as it would help them balance their professional and family lives in a better manner.
Background:
- At present, women officers get maternity leave of 180 days with full pay for each child, subject to a maximum of two children.
- Childcare leave of 360 days is granted in total service career (subject to the child being less than 18 years of age) to women officers.
- Child adoption leave of 180 days is granted after the date of the valid adoption of a child below one year of age.
- The extension of leave rules will go a long way in dealing with women-specific family and social issues relevant to the armed forces.
Inclusion of women:
- In line with the government’s commitment towards utilising “Nari Shakti” (women power), the three services have spearheaded a paradigm shift with the inclusion of women as soldiers, sailors and air warriors.
- From being operationally deployed in Siachen to being posted on warships as well as dominating the skies, Indian women are breaking barriers in almost every field in the armed forces.
- In 2019, a significant milestone was achieved through recruitment of women in the Indian Army as soldiers in the Corps of Military Police.
COLORS to support the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative
(GS Paper 1, Social Issues)
Why in news?
- COLORS, India’s leading Hindi GEC, recently announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative, to address the issue of girl child abandonment, through the launch of its new fiction show Doree.
- Television as a medium has played a huge role in holding a mirror to society and led to many women becoming agents of change.
Key Highlights:
- With an aim to bring societal change and address the gender bias against girl child, through this association COLORS aims to raise awareness about the social evil of girl child abandonment.
- In addition to launching a primetime show on the subject, as part of this association, COLORS will promote the 24-hour emergency toll free Child helpline number (1098) for those seeking assistance for any abandoned girl child across the nation.
- Doree aims to generate popular conversation and thereby raise awareness on the issue of girl child abandonment.
About Ministry of Women and Child Development:
- The Ministry for Women and Child Development works towards holistic development of women and children.
- The Ministry is implementing its various schemes and programmes through its 3 Missions viz, Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 for improving nutrition indicators in the country, Mission Vatsalya for protection and welfare of children and Mission Shakti for safety, security and empowerment of women.
- BBBP is one of the flagship schemes under Mission Shakti that aims towards protection and empowerment of the girl child.
About COLORS:
- ‘COLORS’ is Viacom18’s flagship brand in the entertainment space in India.
- COLORS, launched on 21st July 2008, offers an entire spectrum of emotions to its viewers.
