Editorial 1: The women’s reservation Bill cannot wait any longer

Introduction

• Even though women have been breaking the glass ceiling of patriarchy in every sector, politics is the arena where women find it the most challenging to find space. India may have achieved suffrage early, but women still face significant barriers to political participation and do not have the right to govern. It is disheartening to witness that even 75 years after Independence, Parliament lacks substantial representation with women holding just 14% of the seats.

Contributions of women in politics

• Women played a crucial role in India’s fight for independence, by organising demonstrations, leading rallies, and raising awareness. There were numerous female representatives in the Constituent Assembly as well.
• Just a decade ago, three of India’s largest States, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, were in the spotlight for being led by women Chief Ministers.
• While Sushma Swaraj led the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi served as both President of the Congress Party and Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance. Also, India had its first woman President, Pratibha Patil around the same time.

The regression and Government’s stand

• Despite the presence of influential women in Indian politics, we have regressed since the 1980s and patriarchal backlash has resulted in the status of women in India being far from ideal.
• It can be traced back to 1955 when a government appointed committee recommended that 10% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies should be reserved for women.
• However in the 1980s the demand for women’s reservations gained momentum when the National Perspective Plan for Women (1988) recommended 30% of seats in all elected bodies should be reserved for women. This recommendation was reiterated in the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, 2001.
• In 1993, the Panchayati Raj Act was amended to reserve 33% of all seats in local government bodies for women, which was a significant step towards women’s political empowerment.
• In 1996, the Women’s Reservation Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Bill proposed to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State legislative Assemblies for women.
• However, facing strong opposition from some political parties it lapsed but gained more momentum again in the early 2000s. In 2010, the Bill was approved in the Rajya Sabha.

Global examples

• Around the world, women leaders are outperforming their male counterparts.

1. Scandinavian countries have implemented policies and governance structures that support women’s representation in political and leadership positions.
2. In Rwanda, a central African nation, the scars from the genocide, are being healed by predominantly a leadership that comprises women.
3. Norway implemented a quota system in 2003 that required 40% of seats on corporate boards to be occupied by women.

Ways to improve women representation

1. Political Parties should ensure Women Representation.
2. Education and Training
3. Address Violence against Women in Politics
4. Address Social and Cultural Barriers

Way forward

• As India strives to become a Vishwa Guru, we must not overlook the pivotal role women can play in nation building and development. So, the need of the hour is to address the roadblocks in the representation of women in politics in order to achieve gender equality and ensure that women have equal opportunities to participate in politics, policymakers, civil society organizations, etc.

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Editorial 2: IPL, an opportunity to bat for climate action

Context

• IPL (Indian Premier League) is one of India’s most significant cultural and economic events. But beyond the excitement and spectacle of the sport, an event as big as the IPL also has a significant environmental footprint. India has committed to reach Net Zero (GHG) Emission (NZE) by 2070 and reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030.

Sports and Carbon emissions

• Specifically, for IPL, studies estimate that a single match produces emissions in the range of 10,000 tCO2e to 14,000 tCO2e (or tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent).
• Over a season, this figure can reach so much high that it would take tropical forests the size of Singapore over a whole year to absorb these emissions.
• Stadiums and facilities account for about 5% of the total, whereas digital viewership during events such as the IPL contribute to more than three-fourths to the total emissions footprint.
• In addition, data centres are the second most significant contributor to emissions.
•  Spectator travel, luxury accommodation, and backup generators round up the list of top five emitters.

International efforts curbing emissions

• Recent years have seen growing recognition of the impact of sports on climate change and vice-versa. Although international efforts have been made to address the environmental impact of large-scale sports events, including
• International Olympic Committee’s mandatory commitment to climate action for candidate cities
• F1’s (Formula One) commitment to switch to 100% sustainable fuel by 2026, the question whether enough is being done remains.
• Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) signed an agreement in 2018 to implement the concept of ‘zero waste’ or ‘green protocol’ to reduce wastage from cricket stadiums.

Solutions

1. Adopting climate tech and leveraging existing tech advancements are crucial in quickly and accurately measuring emissions from various sources.
2. Replacing LCD screens in  homes with energy-efficient LED can help in 20% reduction in the overall carbon footprint.
3. A transition to renewable energy sources for the data centres and data streaming infrastructure can further reduce the IPL’s carbon emissions by over 10%.
4. Further, the incentivisation and use of public transport to and from stadiums can help reduce spectator travel emissions by as much as 85%.

Impact of climate change on sports

• Global temperatures are already over 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, and India has experienced 11 of the 15 warmest years (2007-2021). The impact of climate change is being felt across multiple aspects of cricket like:
• Changing weather patterns are affecting players, spectators, and ground conditions. The change is altering the sport’s landscape, impacting the length of the cricket season, and disrupting the playability of pitches. Furthermore, the increasing intensity of heatwaves and worsening air quality in India have raised concerns for player safety during some of the matches.
• This is a matter that needs urgent attention as the cricketing calendar has grown ever busier in recent years, with the IPL, the most lucrative cricket league in the world, playing a significant role.

Conclusion

• The IPL has a unique opportunity to take a lead role in promoting climate action by prioritising sustainability. The organisation’s broad social platform can influence attitudes towards sustainability and reach out to people from all backgrounds and areas. By promoting education and awareness around environmental issues, the IPL can encourage a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.