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The Hindu
27-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Gender Agenda Newsletter: Are you settled?
'The more things change, the more they stay the same,' Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1808-1890), the French journalist, had said in the January 1849 issue of his journal Les Guepes (The Wasps). When I was in school in the 1990s and lived in a neighbourhood of government-job professionals who mostly had two children, it surprised me to see that parents would send their sons to boarding schools in the hills, where the education was believed to be better, but also far more expensive than regular day schools. Their daughters often went to government-run KVs (Kendriya Vidyalayas), where the expectations and the fees were low. I am not surprised to see that fewer girls than boys are enrolled in private schools even today. The proportion of girls going to private schools was 33%, while that of boys was 39% boys, in 2023-24. Private schools in India still have the image of being better than state-run institutions. Government schools recorded 54% girls and 49% boys. When girls do get the opportunity to study, they are often subject to all kinds of other social prisons, like being asked to get back to college hostels a couple of hours before the men. Natasha Narwal was known for the Pinjara Tod movement, which took up discriminatory practices in girls' students hostels, 10 years ago. She inspired a nation-wide movement of protests and demands for equality. At roughly the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme focussing on 'challenging mindsets and deep rooted patriarchy in the societal system'. In 2021, a Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women found that the government had spent 80% of the scheme's funds on media campaigns. Over the years, governments have initiated schemes to tackle female foeticide with cash transfers. But money, as they say, cannot buy everything. It can of course buy a 'good boy'. A girl, and by that corollary a woman, is seen as belonging to the family she will eventually marry into. Large loans must be taken for her wedding, to 'fund' the groom, leading families into deep debt. An unmarried woman in rural India is seen as an aberration; in urban India, she's seen as 'not settled' — her parents must worry about her future, relatives must 'look for a boy' for her. Most people don't see the irony in this — yes, she isn't 'settled' because she didn't settle. And that's cause for cheer. Toolkit Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print is a documentary on Hotstar about the feminist magazine Ms. launched in 1972 in America. The first issue had had an illustration of a blue Kali, with eight arms, each holding an iron, hand mirror, phone, steering wheel, typewriter, frying pan, duster, and clock. It sold 3 lakh copies. Ms. tackled issues of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and the repealing of laws that criminalised abortion. Wordsworth SOGIESC: Sexual Orientation (who you're attracted to), Gender Identity (what gender you identify with), Gender Expression (how you present yourself), and Sex Characteristics (biological attributes you're born with, like reproductive organs). This is an umbrella term for LGBTQAI+ communities. When the 19th Congress of the Philippines was adjourned, news organisations and those advocating for minority rights were disillusioned that the SOGIESC Equality Bill of 2022, formulated to ensure equality, was not taken up. Senator Risa Hontiveros, a health and women's rights advocate, hoped it would be passed in the next Congress, scheduled to convene next week. Ouch! Don't be afraid to be women, to allow yourselves to be led by a man.... Women, you are failing, you are eradicating masculinity, making society hypersensitive Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Mexican footballer Woman we met Taanya Kapoor, 33, started the Women and Gender Book Club in June 2023, to 'get back to reading for fun'. She remembers putting out (what was then) a tweet, asking people if they'd like to read fiction and non-fiction by women, with her. 'I just had 200 or 300 followers then, and when I woke up in the morning, there were 80,000 retweets,' she says. Now, with over 700 members of all genders from across the world, the club picks a book to read each month based on suggestions and a final poll. Sometimes, authors attend the Zoom meetings to speak about their books: Shrayana Bhattacharya (Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh), Farah Bashir (Rumours of Spring), and Neha Dixit (The Many Lives of Syeda X). Kapoor herself is in the process of doing a PhD on the contradictions of modern daughterhood in middle-class India.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Stress 'a major feature' as West Lothian council sickness rate rises
Stress has been highlighted as a major factor in a continued rise in sickness absence at West Lothian Council. More than 1,000 employees were off long term, councillors heard. The services hit most by absence, both long and short term, are Education, Housing, Customer and Building Services and Operational Services. READ MORE: Housing developer launches West Lothian shuttle bus to help commuters get to work READ MORE: Lip reader spots King Charles discussing Prince Harry 'issue' with Queen Camilla The fewest absences were in the Planning , Economic Development and Regeneration team. In a report to the Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP committee Claire Wallace, HR Services Manager, said: 'Absence rates for the Council in 2024/25 have seen an increase in comparison to 2023/24. 'Stress continues to be the highest contributor to levels of sickness absence across the council and the focus will continue to be on targeting support at those service areas reporting high levels of stress related absence.' Long term absence accounted for 66% of sick days in Education last year, with 502 employees off for more than four weeks. In Housing, Customer and Building Services the numbers off long term last year were 182 and in Operational Services, which includes waste services, it was 450. The committee heard that mental and behavioural reasons accounted for a third of all days- 43,826- lost to sickness absence last year. Musculoskeletal is the next biggest reason for absences followed by Infection and accident. Following an established pattern personal stress accounted for the largest single number of days lost, followed by work place stress and anxiety. The Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP heard that the council's occupational health service provision is currently out for tender with a provider set to be named in the Autumn. SNP group leader, Councillor Janet Campbell asked : 'In terms of long term sickness rates for stress, both personal and work place, what steps do we take as an employer to support staff who experience these illnesses? Ms Wallace said: 'We have a strategy which looks at the four pillars of well being one of those in mental well being and underneath that pillar there's a ranges of resources available including things such the employee assistance programme which is access to confidential counselling service but also advice on other factors that might be causing the stress such as financial, family or relationship issues. 'In some services we have deployed the Health and Safety Executive's Stress Toolkit to carry out stress audits we did recently in one service and plan to carry it out in others.' Ms Wallace said Human Resources could also signpost staff to mental health support groups. The report to committee detailed: 'Since 1 November 2018, a telephone-based counselling service (Help EAP) has been in operation provided by our occupational health provider, Optima Health. Statistics from the last quarter of 2024/25- January to 1 April this year- show that 57 employees received mental health assessments during this period. Of the 57 assessed, 35 employees were referred for counselling services, four signposted to GP/NHS, one for legal services, two for voluntary/private services and 15 employees were provided onward referral and guidance. Of the 35 employees who were referred for counselling, 17 received structured telephone counselling sessions, 10 provided with video counselling sessions and 8 provided with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The report added: 'Contact reasons indicate that 15% of calls in Quarter 4 were in relation to solely work-related issues, 45% in relation to personal issues only and 38% due to a combination of work and personal related issues." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community her e and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Edinburgh Live
23-06-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Stress 'a major feature' as West Lothian council sickness rate rises
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Stress has been highlighted as a major factor in a continued rise in sickness absence at West Lothian Council. More than 1,000 employees were off long term, councillors heard. The services hit most by absence, both long and short term, are Education, Housing, Customer and Building Services and Operational Services. The fewest absences were in the Planning , Economic Development and Regeneration team. In a report to the Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP committee Claire Wallace, HR Services Manager, said: 'Absence rates for the Council in 2024/25 have seen an increase in comparison to 2023/24. 'Stress continues to be the highest contributor to levels of sickness absence across the council and the focus will continue to be on targeting support at those service areas reporting high levels of stress related absence.' Long term absence accounted for 66% of sick days in Education last year, with 502 employees off for more than four weeks. In Housing, Customer and Building Services the numbers off long term last year were 182 and in Operational Services, which includes waste services, it was 450. The committee heard that mental and behavioural reasons accounted for a third of all days- 43,826- lost to sickness absence last year. Musculoskeletal is the next biggest reason for absences followed by Infection and accident. Following an established pattern personal stress accounted for the largest single number of days lost, followed by work place stress and anxiety. The Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP heard that the council's occupational health service provision is currently out for tender with a provider set to be named in the Autumn. SNP group leader, Councillor Janet Campbell asked : 'In terms of long term sickness rates for stress, both personal and work place, what steps do we take as an employer to support staff who experience these illnesses? Ms Wallace said: 'We have a strategy which looks at the four pillars of well being one of those in mental well being and underneath that pillar there's a ranges of resources available including things such the employee assistance programme which is access to confidential counselling service but also advice on other factors that might be causing the stress such as financial, family or relationship issues. 'In some services we have deployed the Health and Safety Executive's Stress Toolkit to carry out stress audits we did recently in one service and plan to carry it out in others.' Ms Wallace said Human Resources could also signpost staff to mental health support groups. The report to committee detailed: 'Since 1 November 2018, a telephone-based counselling service (Help EAP) has been in operation provided by our occupational health provider, Optima Health. Statistics from the last quarter of 2024/25- January to 1 April this year- show that 57 employees received mental health assessments during this period. Of the 57 assessed, 35 employees were referred for counselling services, four signposted to GP/NHS, one for legal services, two for voluntary/private services and 15 employees were provided onward referral and guidance. Of the 35 employees who were referred for counselling, 17 received structured telephone counselling sessions, 10 provided with video counselling sessions and 8 provided with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The report added: 'Contact reasons indicate that 15% of calls in Quarter 4 were in relation to solely work-related issues, 45% in relation to personal issues only and 38% due to a combination of work and personal related issues."
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FM Sitharaman calls for a balance between regulations and pro-growth mindset - The Economic Times Video
Emphasising the importance of fair competition, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said there has to be the right balance of regulations and freedom. She was speaking at the event to mark the 16th Annual Day of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in the national also the Corporate Affairs Minister, said the regulator has to anticipate changes in the market and remain relevant to the needs of the time, she said. CCI works to promote fair competition and prevent competitive practices in the marketplace. Besides, mergers and acquisitions beyond a certain threshold need approval of the watchdog. The regulatory framework should also help swift approvals for combinations that do not harm competition. At the event, the minister also released the Diagnostic Toolkit for Public Procurement Officers as well as FAQs on combinations. Show more Show less
