Context: 

• A new report released by UNICEF and WHO, ” Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) 2000-2022: Special focus on gender” presents updated national, regional and global estimates for WASH in households for the period 2000 to 2022.

Key Findings from the report:

• Lack of water supply: Globally, 1.8 billion people live in households without water supplies on the premises. 
• Disproportionate burden on women: Women and girls aged 15 and older are primarily responsible for water collection in 7 out of 10 households, compared with 3 in 10 households for their male peers. Girls under 15 (7 %) are also more likely than boys under 15 (4 %) to fetch water.
• Lack of Private Space: Among 51 countries with available data, women and adolescent girls in the poorest households and those with disabilities are the most likely to lack a private place to wash and change.
• Loss of lives: 1.4 million lives are lost each year due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene.
• Disproportionate Impact on Women:
  • Loss of education: Additional time spent on domestic chores can also limit girls’ chances of completing secondary school and gaining employment.
  • Poor quality of life: In most cases, women and girls make longer journeys to collect it, losing time in education, work, and leisure, and putting themselves at risk of physical injury and dangers on the way.
  • Compromised Privacy: More than half a billion people still share sanitation facilities with other households, compromising women’s and girls’ privacy, dignity, and safety. 
  • Vicious cycles of poverty: Unsafe water, toilets, and handwashing at home robs girls of their potential, compromises their well-being, and perpetuates cycles of poverty. 
  • Health risks: Inadequate WASH services increase health risks for women and girls and limit their ability to safely and privately manage their periods. 
  • Increased vulnerabilities: They face additional health risks because they are vulnerable to harassment, violence, and injury when they have to go outside the home to haul water or just to use the toilet.

Roadmap suggested by the report: 

• Accelerating Progress:  Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal target for universal access to safely managed drinking water, sanitation, and basic hygiene services by 2030 will require a six-fold increase in current rates of progress for safely managed drinking water, a five-fold increase for safely managed sanitation, and a three-fold increase for basic hygiene services.
• Gender specific interventions: Responding to girls’ needs in the design and implementation of WASH programmes is critical to reaching universal access to water and sanitation and achieving gender equality and empowerment.
• Targeting gender equality: Efforts are needed to ensure that progress on WASH contributes towards gender equality, including integrated gender considerations in WASH programmes and policies and disaggregated data collection and analysis.

Status of Health and Hygiene in India:

• Lack of clean water access: As of 2020 over 165 million Indians did not have access to constant clean water, close to 600 million live in water-stressed regions, and 63 per cent households do not have access to water within their homes. 
• Water scarce regions: Water scarce areas in India, dependent on government and municipal water tankers, receive a maximum of 25L of water per person per day, amounting to 125L for an average family of five. This is in stark contrast to median and high-income households that use anywhere from 200L-600 L per person per day.
• Water Contamination: While many regions in India face significant water scarcity issues, nearly 70% of all of the country’s fresh water in the ground or on the surface is contaminated. 
• Stunting and wasting: In spite of the initiatives being taken to eradicate the risks of unsanitary livelihood, India still has higher rates of stunting and wasting among children under five years of age, due to poor sanitation

Challenges associated with Health and Hygiene: 

• Data discrepancies: Although India was declared open-defecation-free (ODF) in 2019, several reports indicate the persistence of open-defecation in regions labelled ODF, defunct toilets, and discrepancies between the SBM administrative data and National Sample Survey data. 
• Timely wage payments: There have also been reports of non-payment of wages to swachhagrahis. If such policy implementation gaps are not bridged, regions with poor sanitation and lack of adequate toilets will continue to fail their women.
• Lack of knowledge: Ground reports show that knowledge of proper menstrual hygiene practices is still lacking.Even though ASHA workers continue to raise awareness, there are cases where 80 percent of women and girls in villages continue to practice unhygienic MHM.
• Paucity of hygiene management at the workplace:  The paucity of clean and separate toilets for women in the urban working landscape discourages and restricts women from joining the workforce, in addition to several factors that already hinder their labour force participation. 
• Lack of gender tracking system: Even while WASH policies are gender-sensitive or gender-transformative in their design and planning, they fail to measure the gendered impact of the policy. 

Current Measures by India to improve sanitation and hygiene:

• Flagship programmes: Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) aim to provide safe and adequate drinking water to every household in India. 
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: The gender strategy for the policy tracks the participation of women in the scheme. It requires 33 percent women members in Water Use Associations (WUA) at the Gram Panchayat level to allow holistic participation of women in water budgeting, water security planning, and monitoring implementation progress.
• SPM-NIWAS:  Set up under the Ministry of Jal Shakti as an autonomous institution and to develop as an apex institution for drinking water and sanitation of international repute, undertake academic activities, research work, training and capacity development of public health engineers and other stakeholders.
• Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM): The MHM guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, provide a well-defined MHM framework that incorporates IEC initiatives, better WASH infrastructure, availability and safe disposal of menstrual absorbents, and participation of communities and schools, to make adolescent girls capable of continuing their education and ending the taboo around menstruation. 
• Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya (SBSV) programme: Provide gender-segregated toilet facilities for girls and boys in government elementary and secondary schools.
• Innovative solutions to address WASH challenges: JJM has created a market for products and services related to water supply, such as water quality testing kits, leak detection devices, and water treatment technologies. SBM has led to the development of innovative solutions in the sanitation sector, such as low-cost toilets, wastewater and faecal sludge management solutions, and behaviour change communication campaigns.
• Sustainable solutions by social enterprises: Underserved communities are beginning to show signs of acceptance and support from sustainable solutions on offer by social enterprises. 

Way Forward for India:

• Basic WASH facilities: The need of the hour in terms of hygiene and healthcare for women in India is to improve access to basic sanitation facilities and clean water, and to provide adequate hygiene facilities in the workplace. 
• Infrastructure: This includes investing in infrastructure such as toilets and water wells, as well as education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene. 
• Hygiene management facilities at workplace: Providing menstrual hygiene management facilities in workplaces and schools is also crucial.
• Healthcare Providers: Increasing the number of trained healthcare providers, especially in rural and underprivileged areas, to ensure that women have access to the healthcare they need. 
• Accessibility and affordability of medicines: Improving the availability and affordability of essential medicines and supplies can also help to ensure that women receive the care they need.
• Women led transformation: Role of It is important to involve communities, especially women and girls, in the design and implementation of sanitation and hygiene programs. This can help to ensure that the facilities and services provided meet the specific needs of women and girls and are used and maintained.
• Training women: Training women and empowering them to train others has turned out to be an excellent way to ensure safe sanitation for all in a community
• Enabling Environment: To ensure that everyone has access to the new solutions and that they are affordable, governments and stakeholders must work towards creating an enabling environment for innovations to thrive.
• Awareness and sensitization drives: Regularity of sanitation-related awareness and sensitization drives in communities needs to be increased so that there is an attitudinal change even at the household level. 
• School Curriculum: Bringing the importance of Wash into the curriculum of schools is one way of ensuring that the importance of the issue remains top and center in the minds of teachers, students and administrators.

News Source: Financial Express

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Recently, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released the “Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2022″ report.

Highlights of Report:

• Global forced Displacement: Number of people displaced around the world has reached a record 110 million.More than one in every 74 people is now displaced. 
  • Number of forcibly displaced people doubled over the past decade.
  • Displacement of Ukrainians was the global fastest since World War II, growing from 27,300 at the end of 2021 to 5.7 million at the end of 2022.
• Disaster related internal displacement accounted for more than half (54 per cent) of all new displacements in 2022.
  • Climate disasters caused 32.6 million internal displacements throughout 2022, with 21 percent occurring in the Least Developed Countries (LDC) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
  • In India,  around five million people were internally displaced. The reason cited is due to disasters and climate change in 2021.
• Reason for Displacement: War in Ukraine was the main driver of displacement in 2022.
  • Other Reason: Conflicts in other parts of the world, food scarcity, inflation and climate emergency have contributed to rising displacement globally.
• Refugees: Out of the total number of people displaced, 35.3 million were refugees, or people who crossed an international border to find safety under the mandate of UN agencies.
  • Of the total refugees, about half of them came from just three countries: Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.
• Statelessness: At the end of 2022, an estimated 4.4 million people worldwide were stateless or of undetermined nationality — 2 per cent more than at the end of 2021.
  • Stateless people are those who are not recognised as citizens by any government.
• Asylum Seekers: There were 5.4 million asylum-seekers globally.
  • In 2022, the highest number of new asylum applications ever recorded — 2.6 million — were registered by more than 140 nationalities in 155 countries.
  • The US receive the most new applications in 2022 with 730,400 claims.
  • Applicants Country: Highest  was recorded from Pakistan (28,500), Egypt (27,300) and Libya (20,200).

• Demographic Displacement
  • Children: They accounts for 41 percent of all forcibly displaced people but only making up 30 percent of the world’s population. 
  • More than 1.9 million children were born as refugees between 2018 and 2022 — an estimated 385,000 children per year. 
  • Women and Girls: They represent more than half, or 51 percent, of all refugees forcibly displaced by the end of 2022.
• Unproportionate Burden on neighboring or low- and middle-income countries: At the end of 2022, 70 percent of refugees, including people in refugee-like situations and other people in need of international protection, were hosted by neighboring countries.
  • In 2022, low- and middle-income countries hosted 76 percent of the world’s refugees and other people in need of international protection. 
  • Low-income countries, which have limited resources to adapt to the situation and account for only 0.5 per cent of global gross domestic product, hosted 16 per cent of the refugees.
• Hosting Country: Turkey remained the country hosting the highest number of refugees in the world with 3.6 million refugees, over 10 percent of the total.
• SilverLining: In 2022, the number of refugees resettled in a safe third country doubled to 1,14,300 from the previous year. 
  • However, this accounted for only a fraction of the projected 1.5 million refugees in need of resettlement. For each refugee that returned or was resettled in 2022, there were 16 new refugees.
  • In 2022, 339,300 refugees voluntarily returned to 38 countries of origin, a decrease of 90,000 or 21 percent compared with the previous year.
• India Specific: It points out that around five million people were internally displaced. The reason cited is due to disasters and climate change in 2021.

Way Forward

• DURABLE SOLUTIONS: It means diminishing gradually the needs and vulnerabilities of displacement affected communities, while strengthening their capacities, skills, and increasing their resilience, so that displaced persons can increasingly enjoy their human rights without discrimination based on their displacement.
  • RESETTLEMENT: Resettlement is the organised movement of refugees from refugee camps, urban areas or other temporary situations to a third country, where they can live permanently. 
  • REPATRIATION: It is the return of refugees to their home country, of their own free will, once conditions have become safe. 
  • LOCAL INTEGRATION: It occurs when refugees seek to attain rights similar to those enjoyed by the citizens of the country in which they have sought refuge. It also involves enhancing the resilience and self-reliance of displaced people and their hosts.
• Preventing and resolving conflicts: It requires political will, dialogue, diplomacy, and humanitarian action from all parties involved. 
  • The international community should also support peacebuilding efforts and address the root causes of violence and instability.
• Protecting and Assisting: Providing access to basic services, such as health care, education, water, sanitation, and livelihood opportunities. 
  • It also means respecting their human rights and dignity, and ensuring their safety and security.
• Strengthening international cooperation: Responsibility-sharing among states and other actors through implementing the Global Compact on Refugees, as a framework for more predictable and equitable responses to refugee situations. 
• Addressing the impacts of climate change: It requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the effects of global warming, supporting disaster risk reduction and preparedness, and enhancing the protection of people displaced by environmental factors.
• Involve the private sector: Private sector can be invaluable in helping displaced people recover from a crisis through jobs and infrastructure support.
  • In 2018, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, a network of private-sector actors in that country, provided 3,000 employment offers to people affected by conflict in the Marawi region. 
• Other Efforts: All countries should investigate and prosecute trafficking gangs who exploit refugees and migrants, and put people’s safety above all else.
  • Opening up safe routes to sanctuary for refugees: Allowing people to reunite with their relatives, and giving refugees visas so they don’t have to spend their life savings and risk drowning to reach safety.

Conclusion

• We must act in solidarity and welcome people seeking safety from conflict by increasing humanitarian funding, enhancing partnerships, and fostering brotherhood and compassion.

News Source: UNHCR Report

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Context: Recently, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a set of recommendations to govern development of artificial intelligence (AI) across sectors. 

• Need: it is important to regulate specific AI use cases that may have a direct impact on humans within a risk-based framework.

Important Highlight of Recommendations

• Establish Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India( AIDAI), an independent statutory authority, that will act both as a regulator and recommendatory body and play an advisory role for all AI-related domains. 
  • AIDAI will be responsible for framing regulations on various aspects of AI, including its responsible use, defining principles of responsible AI and their applicability to AI use cases based on risk assessment and evolving a framework based on its assessment, global best practices and public consultation.
• Establish Multi-Stakeholder Body (MSB): It will act as an advisory body to the AIDAI.  
  • Composition: It should have members from different ministries/departments, industry, legal experts, cyber experts, academia and research institutes posed framework recommends the categorisation of AI use cases.
• Categorizing AI systems: Based on their risks and regulating them according to principles of responsible AI.
  • Based on their potential impact on society and individuals will enable targeted oversight and supervision.
• Utilization Of AI: TRAI encouraged the deployment of AI by telecommunication companies to combat the menace of unsolicited commercial communication (UCC). 
  • By leveraging AI and machine learning (ML) technologies, telcos can proactively detect and prevent spam, safeguarding the interests of their customers.
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTy) should be the administrative ministry for AI.
• Global Regulation: Government to work with international agencies and governments from other countries to establish a global agency that would serve as the primary international body for AI development, standardization, and responsible use.

News Source: Livemint

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Context:

India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C initiative, run by the International Solar Alliance(ISA), to a number of Pacific Island countries.

About STAR-C Initiative:

• Objective: 
  • To support capacity-building efforts in the ISA member countries through training. 
  • To create a skilled workforce for large-scale deployment of solar energy applications and research, development, innovation, standardization and testing in solar energy.

News Source: Livemint

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Context: 

The opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament was disrupted after the government and the Opposition differed on the format of the discussion on the Manipur situation.

What is Rule 267, and Rule 176?

• Rule 267 is for the suspension of rules to accommodate specific business, while Rule 176 allows short-duration discussions on urgent matters of public importance.
• Rule 267 gives a Rajya Sabha MP special power to suspend the pre-decided agenda of the House, with the approval of the Chairman.

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context- Coal Ministry bags “Best Engagement” Award for Procurement through GeM Portal.

More about the news:

• The Ministry of Commerce has instituted the awards for excellence in procurement through the GeM portal. 
• The Ministry of Coal has been awarded in“Best Engagement” category, Coal India Limited (CIL) has been awarded“Rising Star” and NLC India Limited has been awarded in the “TimelyPayments” category.

About GeM portal

• GeM is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal to make it easier for various Central and State Government Departments, Organisations, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to purchase common goods and services online.
• Launched: It was launched in 2016 to increase efficiency and transparency in the procurement process for the government.
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Process: It offers reverse e-auction and e-bidding tools to help  users get the most for their money.
• Compulsory procurement:For the goods and services offered on GeM, procurement by Ministries and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) is mandatory.

Significance of GeM portal: 

• Transparent and Economical Procurement: GeM makes it possible for government organizations to quickly, efficiently, transparently, and economically procure goods and services they need to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Inclusive marketplace: The Marketplace has made it easier for small local vendors to participate in public procurement while effectively implementing the government’s “Make in India” and MSME Purchase Preference Policies.
• Self-sufficiency: GeM has been promoting the AtmaNirbhar Bharat policy, which was instituted in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic and is intended to promote independence and small Indian manufacturers.
• Several Entities in One Location: The online market can combine requests from multiple entities for similar products, and build on the preferences provided by State governments to small enterprises.

News Source: pib

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Context-Recently the amount of 466 lakhs, which was collected as GST during the last 3 years was reimbursed to Charitable/Religious Institutions.

About the Seva Bhoj Scheme:

• Objective: Under the Scheme Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable Religious Institutions  shall be reimbursed as Financial Assistance by the Government of India.
• It is provided to those institutions who provide Food/Prasad/Langar (Community Kitchen)/Bhandara free of cost without any discrimination to Public/Devotees.
• Nodal Ministry: It is a Central Sector scheme with the Ministry of culture as the nodal ministry.

Type of Assistance under the scheme: 

• Eligibility: Free ‘prasad’ or free food or free ‘langar’ / ‘bhandara’ (community kitchen) offered by charitable religious institutions like Gurudwara, Temples, Dharmik Ashram, Mosques, Dargah, Church, Mutt, Monasteries etc will be eligible.
• Method: Financial Assistance will be provided on First-cum-First Serve basis of registration linked to funds available for the purpose in a Financial Year.

News Source:pib

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Context: 

• As part of the fourth and final Energy Transitions Working Group meeting under India’s G20 Presidency, the role of Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 i.e., ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all was explored.

What is Distributed Energy?

• Off grid power supply: Distributed renewable energy refers to the generation of power from clean sources like solar and wind energy within a specific area without being connected to the traditional power grid. 
• Localized power supply and consumption: Unlike grid-scale solar and wind energy, which are connected to the inter-state power transmission system, distributed energy solutions offer a localized power supply.The generated power is consumed locally, reducing the reliance on traditional fossil fuel-based electricity and minimizing transmission losses.

News Source: pib

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