Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
3. Gender equity has been the centrepiece of inheritance law, but gender bias and inequalities persist in the succession law. The existence of bias against women’s land ownership can constitute a serious limitation for their status in the family and society and their economic and professional choices. Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for an attitudinal shift across the country in favour of ‘Nari Shakti’—or women’s power—in his national address on 15 August. “Respect for women,” he said, “is an important pillar for India’s growth.” For women’s empowerment to prove substantive from an economic point of view, what matters are not just avenues of income defined by job opportunities, but also control over assets.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the gender bias in India’s property succession law and its implication on women empowerment.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start the answer by citing statistic regarding the women ownership of land in India.
Body:
First, write about the gender bias and inequalities in the succession laws of India.
Next, explain as to how the above hinders women’s status, their economic growth and professional choices. Substantiate with facts and examples.
Next, write about the measures that are needed to rectify the above and achieve equity in inheritance.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
