August 17, 2024
I have now completed my summer internship in India with the Center for Social and Behavior Change (CSBC). The 10 weeks flew by quickly, and I am so grateful to have spent the summer exploring and understanding a vast, diverse country about which I have been curious for so long.
I wanted to share a few parting thoughts on policy areas that I think would be extremely important and relevant to address for India now and in the coming years and decades. Some of these insights arise from my direct work, but others from observations in my life there, travels across the country, or conversations with co-workers and friends.
I came to India to work on gender issues, and I leave with an even stronger conviction of how multi-faceted the issue is and how much work there is still to be done. Two sub-domains that I didn’t get a chance to work on, but recognize the importance of, are safety and confidence.
Safety: Just a week before this blog post, and a few days before India’s Independence Day, a female trainee doctor working a night shift at a state-run hospital in Calcutta, West Bengal was brutally raped and murdered. Protests have sparked nation-wide in outrage. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a woman is raped every 16 minutes in India, and 87% of women have reported experiencing some form of harassment in public spaces. Addressing this issue is crucial for achieving gender equality, as it directly impacts women’s ability to participate fully in society. Comprehensive policies and stricter enforcement of laws are essential to create safer environments for women, ensuring that they can live, work, and travel without fear.
Confidence: Seeing firsthand how hesitantly some of the Haqdarshikas responded in our data collection interviews, and how quickly they deferred to other men in the room to answer on their behalf, made me recognize the importance of instilling confidence in women. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023 ranks India 127th out of 146 countries in gender parity, highlighting significant gaps in economic participation, political empowerment, and educational attainment. Social norms and cultural expectations often discourage women from pursuing leadership roles or speaking out against injustice. Initiatives that promote confidence-building, such as leadership training and mentorship programs, are essential to empower women and help them realize their full potential.
Climate adaptation in the face of extreme weather: India is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events due to climate change, with devastating impacts on its economy and population. In 2023 alone, India faced record-breaking heatwaves, severe flooding, and prolonged droughts, affecting millions of people. The Global Climate Risk Index 2024 ranked India among the top 10 countries most affected by climate change. To protect its people and economy, India must prioritize climate adaptation strategies, such as building resilient infrastructure, improving water management, and supporting climate-smart agriculture. Without urgent action, these extreme weather events will continue to exacerbate poverty, displace communities, and threaten food security.
Pollution from agricultural crop burning: Another pressing environmental challenge is the widespread practice of agricultural crop burning, particularly in Punjab and Haryana. Each year, farmers burn millions of tons of crop residue to clear their fields, causing severe air pollution that affects millions in northern India, including the capital, New Delhi. In 2023, air quality in Delhi reached hazardous levels, with PM2.5 concentrations over 10 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit. This pollution leads to respiratory illnesses, reduces life expectancy, and burdens the healthcare system. Addressing this issue requires innovative solutions such as promoting alternatives to crop burning, like mechanized straw management and providing financial incentives for sustainable farming practices.
Urban poverty remains a significant challenge in India, with millions living in overcrowded slums without access to basic amenities like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. According to the World Bank, over 80 million people live in urban slums across India, often in precarious conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated their vulnerabilities, with many losing their livelihoods and facing food insecurity. Addressing urban poverty is crucial not only for improving the quality of life for millions but also for ensuring social stability and economic growth. Policies that focus on affordable housing, access to education and healthcare, and job creation can help lift millions out of poverty, creating more inclusive and resilient cities.