“ADDRESSING INEQUALITY: CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF WORKING MOTHERS AND THE CARE ECONOMY”
Syllabus:
- GS-2- Women issues and efforts by various agencies
- GS-3– Child care leaves and economy
Focus :
The article explores the constitutional rights of working mothers in India, focusing on childcare leave policies and the imperative of investing in the care economy. It evaluates the gendered norms embedded in existing policies, challenges in implementation, and the need for broader recognition of childcare as a social responsibility to address inequality.
Source-TH
Introduction:
- The primary responsibility of child-rearing falls on mothers in India.
- The government offers Child Care Leave (CCL) to female employees for up to 730 days over their service period.
- The CCL policy recognizes the significant caregiving role of mothers.
Gendered Policies and Inequitable Norms:
- CCL predominantly benefits mothers, reinforcing gendered caregiving roles.
- Men qualify for CCL only as single fathers, perpetuating traditional gender norms.
- Offering CCL to fathers may not ensure their active involvement in childcare tasks, leading to concerns about inequity.
Recognition of Extra Care Work:
- Mothers undertake additional childcare tasks alongside their other household responsibilities.
- CCL aims to recognize and accommodate this extra work within the workplace.
- Recent Supreme Court rulings affirm CCL as a constitutional right for working women.
Challenges and Complications:
- CCL provision is not binding on states, leading to discrepancies in its implementation.
- Denial of CCL to a government employee in Himachal Pradesh raises questions about its applicability.
- The constitutional recognition of CCL raises concerns about its absence in the private sector.
Government initiatives :
1. PMMVY-(Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana)-
2. Maternity Benefit (Amendment )Act ,2017–
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Scope and Implementation:
- The Maternity Benefit Act and POSH Act apply to establishments with ten or more employees.
- However, the majority of Indian firms are micro-enterprises with fewer than ten employees.
- Pro-women laws may inadvertently worsen employer bias against women in larger establishments.
Addressing Childcare Burdens:
- Recognize: Acknowledge childcare as a social responsibility beyond individual burden.
- Reduce: Redistribute childcare responsibilities within households and communities.
- Redistribute: Invest in accessible, affordable, and quality childcare facilities.
Investing in the Care Economy:
- The care economy requires investment to support working mothers.
- Quality childcare facilities, both public and private, are essential for easing childcare burdens.
- Recognizing childcare as a social need ensures the realization of constitutional rights for mothers.
Conclusion:
- Recognizing the caregiving role of mothers and investing in the care economy are crucial steps towards addressing inequality.
- Constitutional rights for working mothers must translate into practical measures to alleviate their childcare burdens.
Source:The Hindu
Mains Practice Question :
GS-3
“Discuss the constitutional rights of working mothers in India in the context of childcare leave policies and the importance of investing in the care economy to address inequality. Evaluate the challenges and implications of implementing childcare leave provisions in both the public and private sectors.” (250 words)