GS2 2023 Q14 15 marks 250 words Civil Society and Women

UPSC Mains 2023 GS2 Q14 — Civil Society and Women

Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women's effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India. (Answer in 250 words)

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Question Decoded — examiner's intent

Directive verbs
Discuss
Scope keywords
contribution of civil society groupswomen's effective and meaningful participationrepresentationstate legislatures in India
Implicit sub-parts
  • Barriers specific to state-level politics that civil society must address.
  • Mechanisms used by civil society for capacity building and political training of women.
  • Role in lobbying for the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam at the state level.
  • Shift from tokenism (participation) to decision-making (effective representation).
Common pitfalls
  • Focusing too much on Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) instead of State Legislatures (MLAs/MLCs).
  • Discussing women's empowerment generally (health/education) without connecting it to political leadership.
  • Neglecting the role of NGOs in vetting candidates or 'shaming' parties for low ticket distribution.
  • Failing to mention the lack of data and the 'proxy' culture in regional politics.
Dimensions required
Constitutional/LegalCapacity BuildingPolitical AdvocacyData-driven AccountabilitySocial-Cultural Transformation
Marks allocation hint

Allocate 30-40 words to the current status of women in state assemblies. Dedicate 150 words to the core 'contributions' across advocacy, training, and electoral reforms. Use the final 60 words for challenges faced by civil society and a way forward centered on internal party reforms.

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