Women in Corporate Roles in India

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Why in the News?

A recent report called “Women in Leadership in Corporate India” by a networking platform shows that women are still underrepresented in leadership roles in Indian companies. The percentage of women in these positions has stayed below 30% for a long time.

 

What are the Findings of the Report?

Stagnation of Women's Representation in Corporates:

Women make up less than 30% of the workforce and senior leadership roles, and this number has been dropping since the pandemic. The decline is due to fewer women being hired for leadership positions.

Women in Leadership by Sector:

Lowest Representation:

• Construction, Oil, Gas, and Mining, and Utilities: 11%
• Wholesale and Manufacturing: 12%
• Accommodation and Food Services: 15%

 

Moderate Representation:

• Technology, Information & Media, Financial Services: 19%

 

Highest Representation:

• Education: 30%
• Government Administration: 29%

 

Breaking the Law:

 

The Companies Act, 2013 requires women directors on company boards, but this rule is often ignored. From April 2018 to December 2023, 507 companies were fined for not complying, with 90% of them being listed companies.

 

What are the Factors Contributing to Lower Representation of Women in Corporations?

Factors Affecting Women's Representation in Corporates:

Unconscious Bias:

• Societal biases and stereotypes about women's abilities and leadership styles result in unfair evaluations and fewer advancement opportunities.

 

Reduction in Work-from-home Options:

• Fewer hybrid or remote work opportunities can limit women's participation in the workforce, as these arrangements often help them balance work and personal responsibilities.

 

Work-Life Balance Challenges:

• Women often carry a larger share of domestic and caregiving duties, making it harder for them to match the commitment and availability expected in corporate roles.

 

Safety Concerns:

• Safety issues and inadequate urban infrastructure can deter women from seeking and keeping jobs, especially in urban areas.

 

Lack of Mentorship and Sponsorship:

• Women have less access to mentors and sponsors who can support their career growth and help them navigate the corporate environment.

 

Limited Representation in Leadership:

• Few women in senior roles mean a lack of visible role models, making it harder for women to see themselves in leadership positions.

 

What Measures Can Be Adopted to Enhance Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership?

Strategies to Improve Women's Representation in Corporates:

 

Flexible or Hybrid Work Policies:

• These policies are crucial for retaining women, especially at junior and middle management levels, helping them balance career aspirations and family commitments.

 

Skills-First' Approach to Hiring:

• Focus on candidates' relevant skills, qualifications, and experience rather than gender-based assumptions to reduce biases and promote meritocracy.

 

Promoting Diversity in Senior Leadership:

• Government initiatives can raise awareness of board diversity in listed companies. For example, Japan's "Nadeshiko Brands" program highlights companies that support women's empowerment and leadership as attractive investment opportunities.

 

Establish Networking and Support Groups for Women:

• Creating a Strong Network: These groups can help women professionals connect and collaborate, empowering them to reach leadership positions.
• Peer Learning and Support: Women can share experiences, learn from each other's successes and challenges, and build a strong support system.

 

Mentorship and Networking Opportunities:

• Providing mentorship and networking opportunities helps women navigate the corporate ladder. Experienced female leaders can offer guidance, support, and strategies for career advancement.

 

Shared Parental Leave Policies:

• These policies promote a more equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities between men and women. Paid paternity leave, especially in the private sector, can support this goal.

 

 

Conclusion

The stagnation in the representation of women in corporate leadership roles in India is a concerning trend that requires concerted efforts to address. Implementing a multifaceted approach, including policy changes, organizational reforms, and cultural shifts, is essential to enhance gender diversity and unlock the full potential of women in the corporate sector.

 

KAZA Summit 2024 and Wildlife Product Trade

Why in the News?

Recently, the 2024 Heads of State Summit for the Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) took place in Livingstone, Zambia.

At the summit, member states renewed their calls to withdraw from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This demand arose due to repeated denials of permission to sell their abundant ivory and other wildlife products.

 

What are the Key Issues Discussed at the 2024 Summit?

The KAZA-TFCA Initiative:

The Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) spans across five southern African nations: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, along the Okavango and Zambezi river basins.

 

Conservation Efforts: About 70% of KAZA land is under conservation, comprising 103 wildlife management areas and 85 forest reserves.

Elephant Population: This region is home to over two-thirds of Africa's elephant population, approximately 450,000 elephants. Botswana has around 132,000 elephants, and Zimbabwe has about 100,000.

 

Historical Dispute with CITES:

At the 2022 Conference of Parties in Panama, southern African countries, including those in KAZA, advocated for legalizing the ivory trade to finance conservation efforts and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Despite their large elephant populations and the challenges, they face, their proposal was rejected. These countries accused CITES of prioritizing anti-trade ideologies over scientific conservation methods.

 

Key Issues Discussed at the 2024 Summit:

At the 2024 Heads of State Summit in Livingstone, Zambia, several critical issues were discussed:

Economic Impact of CITES Restrictions:

• Delegates emphasized the economic pitfalls of existing CITES restrictions and advocated for the right to sell wildlife products.
• Highlighted were elephant mortality rates and the lost economic potential from ivory stockpiles.
• The ban on ivory and wildlife product trade negatively impacts conservation funding, as revenue from sales could support wildlife management.

 

Decision-Making Concerns:

Delegates argued that CITES decisions are driven by populism and political agendas rather than scientific evidence, undermining the effectiveness of the organization in promoting sustainable conservation.

 

Calls to Exit CITES:

There were renewed appeals to exit CITES, with proponents suggesting that such a move could prompt the organization to reconsider its stance or allow KAZA states to independently manage their wildlife resources.

 

Exploring Alternative Markets:

• In response to increasing restrictions on trophy hunting imports by Western countries, Zimbabwe and other KAZA states are exploring alternative markets, particularly in the East.
• Trophy Hunting: This practice involves selectively hunting wild animals, often large mammals, to obtain body parts like antlers or horns, which are seen as symbols of achievement or for display.

 

The discussions and decisions at the summit highlight the ongoing conflict between conservation needs and international trade regulations, with KAZA states pushing for more autonomy and flexibility in managing their wildlife resources.

 

What are the Causes of the Wildlife Product Trade?

Factors Contributing to Wildlife Trafficking:

Organized Commercial Illegal Sourcing:

• Organized crime groups engage in remote operations like elephant and tiger poaching.
• These activities often merge with other criminal networks, exploiting power dynamics, illicit weapons, and money laundering channels.

 

Black Markets Create New Demands:

• When legal sales decline, illegal traders find new ways to sell products, including rare animals and endangered species trophies.
• The scarcity of these items makes illegal markets more attractive to buyers.

 

Supplementary Livelihoods and Opportunism:

While major criminal groups drive some trafficking, many poor individuals participate to make ends meet.

 

Corruption:

• Corruption severely undermines efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.
• This includes bribery at inspection points and higher-level influence on permit issuance and legal decisions.

 

Cultural Roots of Poaching:

• Wildlife poaching isn't solely financially motivated; cultural factors play a role too.
• For example, in the Chinko reserve in the Central African Republic, elephant hunting is a cultural heritage symbolizing courage and masculinity.

 

Existence of Legal Markets for Wildlife Products:

• Legal markets for wildlife products, such as bear bile trade in Lao PDR, complicate the recognition of products' origins, whether from legal or illegal sources.
• Japan has the world's largest legal ivory market, which further complicates efforts to curb illegal poaching.

 

What are the Measures Needed to Tackle Wildlife Crime?

Strategies to Combat Wildlife Trafficking:

Banning Illegal Wildlife Products:

• This approach aims to reduce demand by making it illegal to possess or trade goods derived from illegally obtained wildlife.

 

Effective Funding for Wildlife Protection:

• Funds should directly support agencies that protect wildlife, such as park rangers and anti-poaching teams.

 

Public Awareness and Empowerment:

• Educating people about the consequences of wildlife trafficking and the value of wildlife can help lower the demand for illegal products.

 

Ivory-Specific Measures:

• An independent scientific review could assess the sustainability of the potential ivory trade from KAZA countries.
• CITES and KAZA countries could collaborate on exploring alternative sources of income for conservation, such as promoting ecotourism ventures and carbon offset programs within the KAZA region.

 

Best Practices:

 TRAFFIC and WWF Campaigns:

• TRAFFIC’s technical expertise supported a WWF campaign in Thailand, significantly reforming Thai legislation and nearly eliminating the domestic ivory market.
• In China, WWF and other NGOs played a crucial role in implementing a domestic ivory ban.

Stockpile Destruction:

• Gabon, Congo, and the USA have recently destroyed stockpiles of confiscated ivory to prevent its return to the black market and publicly condemn the ivory trade and poaching.

 

By combining these strategies, nations can address both the supply and demand sides of wildlife trafficking, promote sustainable conservation practices, and reduce illegal wildlife trade.

 

 

AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) Scheme

Why in the News?

Recently, the AMRUT scheme has been in the spotlight due to the difficulties it's encountering in tackling infrastructure problems concerning water, mobility, and pollution.

 

What is the AMRUT Scheme?

Overview of AMRUT Scheme:

AMRUT 1.0:

• Launched on June 25, 2015, in 500 selected cities across India, covering about 60% of the urban population.
• Aims to enhance basic infrastructure and implement urban reforms, including water supply, sewerage, drainage, green spaces, non-motorized transport, and capacity building.

 

AMRUT 2.0 Scheme:

• Launched on October 1, 2021, for 5 years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26), absorbing AMRUT 1.0.
• Aims for universal coverage of water supply from 500 cities to about 4,900 statutory towns and coverage of sewerage/septage management in these cities.
• Focuses on promoting the circular economy of water through recycling/reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies, and water conservation.
• Includes reforms agenda for ease of living, such as reducing non-revenue water, strengthening urban planning, and improving urban finance.

 

Components of AMRUT 2.0:

• Pey Jal Survekshan: Ensures equitable water distribution, promotes wastewater reuse, maps water bodies, and fosters healthy competition among cities.
• Technology Sub-Mission for Water: Utilizes global technologies in water management.
• Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign: Raises awareness about water conservation.

 

Status of AMRUT 2.0 Scheme:

Fund Allocation:

The total outlay for AMRUT 2.0 is Rs. 2,99,000 crore for ongoing projects until March 2023.

Impact:

• Positive impact on women's lives, as it reduces the effort in fetching water and leads to a decrease in waterborne diseases due to safe drinking water availability.

 

Challenges:

• Despite the scheme's implementation, around 200,000 people die annually due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• India's disease burden from unsafe water and sanitation is significantly higher compared to China's, with limited improvement.
• A NITI Aayog report predicts groundwater depletion in 21 major cities by 2030, leaving 40% of India's population without access to drinking water.
• A large percentage of urban Indian households lack piped water and sewerage system connections.

 

What are the Challenges in the Implementation of AMRUT Scheme?

Challenges and Concerns with AMRUT Scheme Implementation:

 

State Project Implementation:

• Despite regular fund releases, states like Bihar and Assam have struggled to complete projects or utilize the PPP model, resulting in less than 50% execution completion in most states.

 

AMRUT Program Scope:

• The scheme focuses on a project-focused approach rather than a holistic perspective, potentially limiting its effectiveness in addressing broader urban development issues.

 

Potential Overlaps and Convergence Challenges:

• Overlap between AMRUT and other schemes, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, could lead to funding allocation challenges and increased workload in addressing specific urban issues.

 

Unaddressed Air Pollution:

• The National Clean Air Programme was launched to tackle deteriorating air quality, which remained unaddressed since AMRUT 2.0 shifted solely to water and sewerage, leaving unresolved air quality issues from AMRUT 1.0.

 

Non-Inclusive Governance Structure:

• The scheme lacks organic participation from elected city governments, resulting in a less inclusive approach for urban people and potentially hindering effective governance and decision-making.

 

What are the Steps Needed to Revamp the AMRUT Scheme?

Financial Challenges and Solutions:

Diversification of Financial Resources:

• Local urban bodies should diversify financial resources to implement local projects instead of relying solely on a top-down funding approach.

 

Holistic Approach:

Considering Climate Change and Infrastructure:

• Urban water management should consider climate change, rainfall patterns, and existing infrastructure to cater to evolving challenges effectively.

 

Nature-Based Solutions and People-Centric Approach:

• The scheme needs nature-based solutions and a comprehensive methodology with a people-centric approach, empowering local bodies to address urban water management issues.

 

Community Engagement:

Encouraging Participation:

• Engaging community groups, including NGOs and resident associations, can enhance the effectiveness of housing schemes by soliciting ideas and feedback from grassroots levels.

 

Learning from Success Stories:

Studying Successful Case Studies:

• Learning from successful case studies, such as the "Water Availability for All" initiative in Dahanu Taluka, can provide valuable insights for addressing similar challenges in housing initiatives.

 

Innovation and Research:

Establishing Innovation Hubs:

• Innovation hubs can foster industry-specific research and development related to health and housing issues, spurring innovative solutions and technologies.