Policy Watch: India greenlights progressive maternity benefits for women soldiers
Diya Iyer delves into an overlooked topic in India.
Hi there,
After the crucial state election results earlier this month, a major announcement came from the Supreme Court last week:
India's top court has upheld the stripping of special status from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, the Indian government had revoked the Indian constitution's Article 370, which had given the region significant autonomy. The state of more than 12m people was also split into two federally administered territories.
The court added that the government should hold elections in the region by September 2024. The five-judge bench also ordered that the region should be restored as a state "at the earliest."
"The state of Jammu and Kashmir does not have internal sovereignty different from other states," Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said. Justice SK Kaul recommended an "impartial truth and reconciliation commission" be set up in Kashmir to investigate human rights violations by both "state and non-state actors" over the past few decades.
In our next couple of Substacks, we’ll do a Bridge India Review of 2023, but just ahead of that, here’s a reminder of one of our top moments:
Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan was the Keynote Speaker at the Ideas for India conference back in May. His speech and Q&A with Newslaundry co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri has over 500k views on YouTube:
Member news
Congratulations to Ketan Dattani for winning the Entrepreneurial Trailblazer Award, awarded by Pathway2Grow.
Pop artist Ketna Patel is continuing to host her latest BRITINDIA exhibition at the Headstone Manor and Museum in London (10 Oct 23 - 28 Jan 24). If you’re interested in free artist guided group tours and talks, please call Ketna on 07982 654310.
Introducing Profee:
As the festive season approaches, Profee invites you to spread the spirit of Christmas with beneficial, safe, and fast international money transfers from Britain to India. The services not only bridge the distance but also ensure your financial gifts and presents reach your family back home promptly. Stay close to your loved ones, unwrap the magic of holidays, and make this Christmas truly special.
With Profee, sending money is more than a transaction – it's a celebration!
Download the Profee app from App Store or Google play or visit profee.com website to find out more.
Indians win big: India greenlights progressive maternity benefits for women soldiers
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to extend maternity, child care, and child adoption leave for women soldiers, sailors, and air warriors in the Armed Forces, aligning them with their officer counterparts. This decision, announced on 5 November, is “a testament to the Defence Ministry's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and recognizing the invaluable contributions of women across all ranks” (Hindustan Times). However, whether this aim truly materialises with the implementation of this decision and its subsequent operations is the real question.
Previously, women officers in the three services were eligible for 180 days of maternity leave, with a provision for extension of a month of leave without pay in exceptional cases and 30 days of leave in the instance of a miscarriage or abortion. They were also eligible for 180 days of leave in case they adopt a child below the age of one year. Permanent commission women officers were also eligible for 360 days of child care leave while short service commission women officers were eligible for 180 days of leave. Now, these benefits are extended to all women in the military, irrespective of their ranks.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says that the move “acknowledges the dual roles women play as soldiers and mothers, and it helps them balance their professional and family lives better. It also aligns with the global trend of recognizing and accommodating the unique needs of women in the military.”
India's policy move seems more generous than many other countries. According to a 2019 report by Unicef, Estonia leads the field for new mothers with over 80 weeks of leave at full pay. In contrast, the USA, with a grand total of zero weeks, was the only country in the analysis that offered no national paid leave. This comparison raises pertinent questions about the global standards of maternity benefits.
A report by the US Government Accountability Office revealed that the Department of Defense (DOD) has identified female recruitment and retention as important to diversity in the military. The report indicated that attrition rates for female enlisted and commissioned officers were higher than for males, but this gap has narrowed over time. It also emphasised the need for DOD to have guidance and plans with goals, performance measures, and timeframes to monitor female recruitment and retention efforts.
While the extension of maternity benefits is a positive step, it also opens up a broader debate about the role of women in the military and the challenges they face. How will this policy impact the recruitment and retention of women in the armed forces? Will this incentivise women soldiers or negatively affect the operational effectiveness of the armed forces due to extended absences?
For example, other challenges still remain. A recent report found women in the British military who report sexual assaults are being ostracised and punished for breaching minor rules, because of a “misogynistic and toxic” culture of “laddish” behaviour.
The extended maternity benefits policy was overdue, and is welcome. But it forms one part of a comprehensive strategy to effectively recruit and retain women in the armed forces.
To find out more, get in touch with Diya Iyer at diya@bridgeindia.org.uk.
Why become a Member of Bridge India?
Well, because just in the last few months, we’ve won an Award for our work, being featured in The Daily Telegraph, NDTV, Times of India and elsewhere for our initiatives and events, and hosted multiple events with change-makers in London and elsewhere. Not to mention we’ve some facilitated incredible connections between Members from Florida to London to Delhi.
Become an Individual or Corporate Member of Bridge India. Here’s what we offer:
Events with world leaders and experts in private settings
Powerful networking opportunities
Build a deeper understanding of India
Engage in non-partisan, respectful discussion, away from the ‘noise’
Join a set of Members an NDTV report once called “change-makers”
Dedicated account manager to introduce you to other Members
Opportunity to curate and co-host events, and jointly publish thought leadership
Access to trusteeships, professional roles, invitations to special events and more
Individual Membership is £250 annually (with Gift Aid for UK tax payers; Concessions £125) and there are several Corporate Membership options available.
--
The Bridge India Team
contact@bridgeindia.org.uk | www.bridgeindia.org.uk
Follow us on LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
About Bridge India: Bridge India is a progressive non-profit think tank dedicated to discourse on public policy. Bridge India is a registered charity number 1183696. Click here to donate.