Posts

Beyond the Pink Tax: A Holistic Policy for Free Sanitary Essentials in India

Beyond the Pink Tax: A Holistic Policy for Free Sanitary Essentials in India   “A woman’s dignity should not come at the cost of affordability.” These words from Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai resonate deeply in a country where millions of women face significant barriers to accessing basic menstrual hygiene. Menstruation, a natural biological process, is still entangled in stigma and financial hardship for many in India. According to UNICEF, nearly 23 million girls drop out of school annually due to a lack of menstrual hygiene facilities, highlighting the dire consequences of inaction. While removing the 12% GST on sanitary pads in 2018 was a step forward, it was merely the beginning. Former Indian Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan once stated, “Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue; it is a national public health concern.” A well-structured policy ensuring free sanitary essentials is not a matter of privilege but a fundamental right. A comprehensive strategy that p...

Rape and Women’s Safety in India: Legal Frameworks, Case Studies, Global Insights, and the Comprehensive 'Suraksha Shakti' Policy

Rape and Women’s Safety in India: Legal Frameworks, Case Studies, Global Insights, and the Comprehensive 'Suraksha Shakti' Policy Introduction Sexual violence is not just a crime; it is a symptom of deep-seated societal failure. Despite being constitutionally bound to uphold gender equality, India continues to grapple with widespread incidents of rape and gender-based violence (GBV), many of which go unreported or unresolved. While legal frameworks have evolved significantly since independence, gaps in implementation, judicial delays, and societal stigma continue to deny justice to survivors. This article seeks to dissect India’s existing legal and policy response to rape, analyze key cases that shook the nation, evaluate the judiciary and legislative mechanisms, and propose a comprehensive policy framework — the Suraksha Shakti Yojana — aimed at institutionalizing a multi-layered, systemic response to rape in India. Understanding the Scope: Facts and Figures According t...