Maharashtra Policy for Women

• The Maharashtra Policy for Women aims to address issues faced by women in the country.
• Launched in 2021, it seeks to ensure gender equality and promote socio-economic development in areas like education, health, employment, and entrepreneurship.

New Maharashtra Policy

• An all-inclusive policy will be announced, focusing on practical measures and a 'tourist policy' for women.
• A 'janata durbar' will be held monthly at the district level to address 50 women's complaints.
• A women's bazaar will be established monthly in all districts, promoting products from Self-Help Groups.
• 50% of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds will be allocated for women's causes.

Objectives

• Aims to empower women economically.
• Seeks to promote and improve women's health and overall well-being.
• Creates a safe environment by addressing violence and harassment.
• Strengthens women's participation in decision-making processes.
• Provides free and fair legal support.

Implementation:

Manodhairya Scheme

• Protects rape victims and children suffering from violence and shock, rehabilitating victims of rape and acid attacks.
• Provides efficient funding to victims and survivors via the Manodhairya Women Policy.
• Offers dependents shelter, counseling, and legal support.
• Offers single window clearance and protection of minor girls under The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956.

ASMITA Yojana

• Launched by the Maharashtra Government on International Women's Day, it provides sanitary napkins at discounted rates.
• Rural school girls can obtain sanitary napkin packets for Rs 5.
• Rural women receive sanitary napkins at a subsidized rate of Rs 29.

Rajmata Jijau Mother-Child Health and Nutrition Mission

• Maharashtra was the first state to address malnutrition issues.
• Established in two phases: 2005 and 2011, aims to reduce malnutrition in the state.
• Focuses on child nourishment during the first 1000 days of conception and improves coordination between the Public Health Department and Maharashtra.

Udhyam Nidhi Scheme

• Offered under the Small Industrial Development Bank of India, it supports women entrepreneurs with fair financial assistance.
• The Mahila Udhyam Nidhi Scheme provides financial assistance at concessional rates.
• MSMEs utilize it for service and production-related activities.
• Women entrepreneurs can borrow up to 10 lakhs.

Mahila Arthik Vikas Mandal

• A government agency dedicated to women's empowerment.
• Offers programs, especially for marginalized women and acts as a medium between self-help groups and financial institutions.
• Ensures delivery of government guidelines for the nutrition of pregnant women and children with its guiding philosophy which is to empower women.

Balika Samruddhi Yojana:

• Covers both urban and rural areas, targeting girl children in families below the poverty line.
• The target group includes families identified in BPL by the Swarna Jayati Gram Swarozgar Yojana norms.

New Tejaswini Scheme:

• Aims to enable one million poor rural households to overcome poverty sustainably, improving rural women's capacity, sustainable enterprises, and access to markets.
• The beneficiaries are marginal farmers, livestock, fisheries, and laborers.

Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme:

• Implemented in 2020, first in 50 backward districts and then in 115 backward districts of Maharashtra.

SWADHAR Greh Scheme:

• Provides temporary accommodation, food, clothing, and medical facilities, using vocational and economic rehabilitation of women.
• Supports women prisoners released from jail without family and women affected by domestic violence.

Savitri Phulebai Scholarship Scheme:

• A state government scheme providing financial assistance to women in socially and economically backward societies.
• Aims to help girl students continue their studies.

Maharashtra Women's Policy 2014:

• Aims to promote and protect women's rights in Maharashtra by creating an environment for women to live with dignity, accessing resources, opportunities, and support services.

Women and Child Department of Maharashtra:

• Responsible for implementing policies for women, including the Maharashtra State Commission for Women’s economic development.
• Formulates policies and programs for the welfare of women and children and has enacted the Maharashtra Prohibition of Eve-teasing and Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 1999.
• Provides free legal aid to those who can't afford legal representation.

Challenges in Formulating Women's Policy

• Caters to diverse groups and different women, addresses gender inequality, ensures adequate representation, and ensures effective implementation.

Conclusion

• Requires understanding the diverse Indian population and collaborative effort between government agencies and women's groups. Successful implementation would serve as a model for other states to promote equality and women's rights.

Status of Women in India

• Women have been integral to India's culture and society since ancient times.
• Progress has been made in recent years, there are still many challenges women face today.

Progress and Achievements

• The government has implemented programs and policies to improve women's health, education, and economic opportunities.
• There has been an increase in the number of women participating in the workforce and women have achieved high positions in various fields.

Challenges and Struggles

• Despite these achievements, women in India still face significant challenges Gender discrimination, violence against women, and unequal pay continue to be major issues, as well as female foeticide and infanticide in rural areas which remain a significant concern.

Legal Rights for Women in India

• Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to equality all citizens, regardless of their gender.
• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, makes it mandatory for all children, including girls, between the ages of 6 and 14 to receive education.
• Legal guarantees ensure that men and women receive equal pay for the same work through the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.
• Legal Rights against sexual harassment - The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, provides a framework for addressing complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace.
• Legal Rights to property - The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, was amended in 2005 to give equal inheritance rights to daughters in Hindu families.

Additional Rights

• The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, gives women the right to seek divorce on various grounds, including cruelty and adultery.
• The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, provides women with paid maternity leave and other benefits during pregnancy and childbirth.
• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, provides legal protection to women from physical, emotional, and verbal abuse by their spouses or relatives.

The Way Forward

• There needs to be a concerted effort from all sectors of society.
• The government needs to continue to implement policies that promote women's health, education, and economic empowerment.
• There needs to be a greater focus on gender sensitization and education at all levels of society. The media also has a role to play in promoting positive messages about women and combating gender stereotypes.

Conclusion

• It is essential to recognize the achievements made so far and continue to work towards a more equitable and just society for women By addressing the challenges that women in India face and promoting gender equality, we can ensure that women can fully participate in all aspects of life and contribute to the development of the country.

Women Achievers of Modern India

Avani Chaturvedi:

• One of the first women to become a combat pilot in the Indian Air Force, commissioned in 2016, and became the first woman to fly a MiG-21 solo in 2018.

Sneha Dubey:

• A 2012 batch Indian Foreign Service officer and the first civil servant from her family, known for her response to the Pakistani Prime Minister's speech at the United Nations.

Krithi Karanth:

• The Chief Conservation Scientist and Director at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, and Adjunct Faculty at Duke University and National Centre for Biological Sciences, specializing in wildlife conservation.

Tulsi Gowda:

• Known as the "Encyclopaedia of the Forest", has planted over 30,000 saplings and works with the forest department of Karnataka, possessing immense knowledge about medicinal plants and trees, despite lacking formal education.

Tessy Thomas:

• Born in Alappuzha district of Kerala, director-general of Aeronautical Systems of DRDO and appointed for Project Agni.

Vani Kola:

• Founder and managing director of Kalaari Capital, an Indian venture capitalist, focused on technology-based early-stage companies.

Richa Kar:

• Founder of Zivame, a popular brand in women's intimate apparel, who identified a gap in the market for comfortable and accessible lingerie shopping for women.

Falguni Nayar:

• Founder of Nykaa, a successful business woman and one of the only two self-made female Indian billionaires, who grew up in a normal middle-class family.

Arunima Sinha:

• The first female amputee to scale Mount Everest and other important mountains, honored with the Padma Shree in 2015.

Gita Gopinath:

• An Indian American economist who has served at several important positions including the first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

Banking procedures

• Procedures in a broad sense, are detailed instructions that tell readers the best way to perform a task
• Procedures are written as specifically as possible so employees can follow them easily.
• Bank procedures are guidance provided by management for employees on how to complete transactions and processes. They are designed to assist an institution in succeeding and following regulatory and legal requirements.

Importance of Developing Bank Policies and Procedures

Unified approach among employees

• According to McKinsey, organizations with a clear policy see a soaring 40% boost in teamwork and alignment.

Risk Mitigation

• Developing appropriate bank policies and procedures maintains compliance.

Building trust with regulators

• Banks show seriousness about the law and keeping to proper boundaries through their policies and procedures. Knowing that it's important to develop proper policies and procedures builds the bank's credibility and trust with regulators.

Approach to risk management

• Banks can use policies and procedures to forecast possible risks that might occur in the future, and take proactive security measures.

Employee training

• Bank policies and procedures help with employee training and development.

Legal Procedures

• Court procedure in India is governed by the CPC (civil matters) and the CrPC (criminal matters).

Procedures and time frames

• The primary statute governing limitation is the Limitation Act, 1963. Most suits have a limitation period of three years for filing.
• Commercial Courts time: Party gets 30 days to file written statement, with a 90-day grace period. Failure means forfeiting the right to file.
• Arbitration Act mandates time-bound procedures; pleadings must be completed in six months.

Class actions

• The CPC states that where there are numerous persons with the same interest in one suit, one or more of such persons must sue one or many people, or may defend such suit on behalf of or for the benefit of all persons interested.
• The Companies Act, 1956 and the Companies Act, 2013 stipulate a specified number of members or depositors file an application before the NCLT on behalf of the members or depositors.

Representation in proceedings

• The Indian Constitution gives the right to an accused offender to have an attorney, with exceptions in the Family Courts Act.

Service out of the jurisdiction

• The CPC and the CrPC contain provisions for service out of the territory of India.

Violence against women

• Violence against women in India refers to physical or sexual violence committed against a woman, typically by a man. Common forms of violence against women in India include acts such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, murder, female infanticide, and acid throwing.
• (NCRB data) domestic violence accounts for more than 30% of the crimes against women.
• National Crime Records Bureau states crime against women increased 87% between 2011 and 2021. Statistics calculated from the National Crime Records Bureau capture reporting to the police, most violence against women is not reported to the police.
• In January 2011, the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) Questionnaire reported that 24% of Indian men had committed sexual violence at some point during their lives.

Dowry, Honour Killings, and Rape

• Dowry death Murder, suicide or being burnt is a result of a dispute over dowry.
• Honour killings are murders of a family member who is considered to have brought dishonour upon the family. The Volunteer group known as love commandos run a helpline dedicated to rescuing couples who are afraid that they will be victims of violence for marrying outside the caste line.
• Marital rape is not a criminal offense in India.

Inheritance Rights for Women (India)

• India's inheritance rights laws for women are very intricate. They are determined by religious and constitutional laws. Traditionally women have never had equal rights over the inheritance of property, and it is still an issue that affects women today.
  • In an effort to fix this, reforms have been proposed, however.

Pollution

• Pollution - Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.
• These harmful materials are called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.
• Air pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere with harmful substances that can adversely affect human health, ecosystems, and climate. Key sources include industry, transit and buring fossil fuels.

Types of Pollution

• Gases, Dust, thermal, noise, radioactive
• Biodegradable, Non-biodegradable
• Quantitative, Qualitative

Water Pollution

• The contamination of water bodies.
• Water Pollution affects aquatic life, disrupts ecosystems, and poses serious health risks to humans.

Soil Pollution

• The contamination of soil with pollutants
• Reduces soil fertility, contaminates crops, and affects food security.

Noise Pollution

• Excessive noise that can adversely affect human health and wildlife
• Can lead to hearing loss, stress, and other health issues.

Thermal Pollution

Sudden increase or decrease in water temperatures, leads to issues, such as decreased Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels, algae growth, and a surge in toxins

Nuclear Pollution or Radiation Pollution

• Can be defined as the release of high-energy particles into the air, water or surface.
• Radiation modifies and destroys cells and genetic materials in living organisms, resulting in ill impacts on health.

Consequences of Environmental Pollution

• Diseases and deaths
• Ecosystem degradation
• Economic costs
• Reduced quality of life

Suggested Measures for Addressing Environmental Pollution

Policy and regulation

• public awareness and education
• sustainable practices
• technological solutions
• international co-operation

What can we do to safe Tree

• Protect and appreciate nature
• Take care of the environment
• Plant more trees

What is Air Pollution caused by

• The introduction of pollutants, organic molecules, or other unsafe materials into Earth's atmosphere
• Causes. Man made sources include the combustion of fuel, smoke from industries, burning crackers etc. Natural sources are forest fires volcanoes etc
• Global warming, acid rain and the depletion of the ozone layer are results
• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is an organic compound that contains carbon, chlorine and florine

water

Water. Water forms two thirds of our body, and keeps the body’s water levels normal. It is used for agriculture and domestic and industrial applications. Water is recycled on Earth. Distribution. 3% of Earth’s water is drinkable, while the remainder is in the ocean

E- Waste Management

• E-waste (electronic waste) refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices.
• Computers, laptops, and smartphones
• Televisions and home appliances
• Batteries and circuit boards
• Industrial electronic equipment
• India's E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 (Revised in 2022)

Stress, and harrassment

Stress. The body’s response to demands or challenges, both positive and negative

• Acute. Short-term
• Workplace pressure
• Money problems
• Harassment is unwanted, repeated behaviour that causes harm and distress. It may be bullying, intimidation, violence, or emotional abuse

Global Warming

• Major cause of climate change
• Causes: Greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation
• Rising Temperatures and Melting Ice impact the planet

Ethics

• A system of moral principles that guide individuals in distinguishing right from wrong □ Builds Character Earns Respect and Trust

Old Age homes

• Need. Support for seniors, especially medical
• Challenges: Many olders feel abandoned □ Social support is a benefit Health and safety are concerns

Distance Education

• Education remotely with support
• Benefits Accessibility, flexibility, and affordability
• Challenges Requires self control skills

First Aid

• First aid is the help given to a person who is injured or sick until trained help arrives Bandages and creams and splints are used to save lives.
• CPR and the heimlich manoeuvre are very important
• What is and AIDS. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is the final stage of HIV when all is damaged. Is not spread from Casual contact

Voting and human rights

Voting Rights. The legal right of citizens to vote in elections. Enforces democracy, politics and equal representation

• Challenges. Suppression, fraud, misinformation, and treats stop voting Human Rights. Basic rights that all people deserve
• Challenges: Discrimination, racism, poverty