News Kashmir Magazine

Gender Gap Widening: A National Alarm, Not Just a Statistic

By Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

Equality between genders is a myth in India. We may showcase ourselves as Female tolerant country but the truth is Gap is widening on every passing day. Men In India are becoming more intolerant against women and women is India is fighting for her rights and existence. A country where Women is worshipped in the name of Durga and Sita same country does not treat females at par with men.

India’s consistent decline in the Global Gender Gap Index should be a matter of national concern. In the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, India was ranked 131st out of 148 countries—slipping two positions from the previous year. This drop does not merely indicate a statistical decline but highlights the persistent structural and cultural barriers that women in India continue to face. In a world slowly inching towards gender parity, India’s regression underscores deeper systemic failures.

The Gender Gap Index evaluates countries across four crucial pillars: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. India’s overall score stands at 64.1%, falling short of the global average of 68.5%. Worryingly, within South Asia, India trails behind nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan—countries with fewer economic resources but stronger commitments to gender equity.

Economic Inequality: A Stubborn Divide

Despite some movement in women’s economic involvement, India’s female labour force participation remains low at 45.9%. Women continue to be overrepresented in undervalued sectors like caregiving, education, and health—often receiving significantly lower pay than men for similar work. The persistent gender wage gap—ranging from 20–30%—shows no sign of narrowing.

Crucially, unpaid domestic work done predominantly by women remains invisible in economic data. This unaccounted labour forms the backbone of India’s informal economy but is still not recognized in the country’s GDP. Such oversight perpetuates the idea that women’s work is secondary, both economically and socially.

Education: Access Isn’t the Same as Equity

India has made considerable progress in primary education, but secondary and higher education remain challenging for many girls, especially those from rural or marginalised communities. The female literacy rate stands at approximately 70%, well below the global average of 87%.

Participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields remains abysmally low among women. Girls continue to drop out due to societal pressures, early marriage, lack of sanitation facilities in schools, and conservative family mindsets. The education system, while expanded, has not adequately addressed these gender-specific barriers.

Health and Survival: Deep Disparities Persist

India’s ranking in health and survival continues to be a point of concern. The sex ratio at birth is approximately 929 girls per 1,000 boys—a glaring indicator of societal preference for sons. This is not merely a demographic imbalance but reflects gender-biased practices such as sex-selective abortions and neglect of girl children.

Rural women face heightened risks due to malnutrition, maternal health complications, and inadequate access to healthcare. Anemia is still prevalent among adolescent girls and pregnant women, while lack of awareness and accessibility to reproductive health services widens the health gap.

Within families, women’s health is often deprioritized, with nutrition and care commonly directed toward male members. These disparities are less about medical infrastructure and more about ingrained social values.

Political Participation: Promise Without Practice

While women’s political participation has grown marginally over the decades, it remains insufficient. Currently, women hold only 13.8% of seats in Parliament, and a mere 5.6% of Cabinet positions. This, despite the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023, which aims to reserve one-third of legislative seats for women. Unfortunately, its implementation remains stalled due to delays in the census and constituency reorganization.

The disconnect between policy formulation and execution is evident. Without political resolve and urgency, such reforms remain symbolic rather than transformational.

Lessons from Neighbours

Countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, despite their own economic limitations, have managed to make significant strides toward gender parity. Bangladesh, through investments in female education and microfinance, has empowered rural women and improved their socio-economic status. Nepal’s constitution mandates women’s participation in local governance, setting a strong precedent in inclusive policymaking. These examples demonstrate that political will, not just financial resources, determines progress. India must adopt similar targeted strategies with a firm commitment to results.

The Economic Case for Gender Equality

Gender parity is not only a human rights issue but an economic imperative. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, bridging the gender gap in India could add $700 billion to the country’s GDP by 2025. A more inclusive workforce leads to stronger economic outcomes and enhances productivity and innovation.

Moreover, gender-inclusive policies in education, health, and governance contribute to more stable and resilient societies. Ensuring women’s equal participation isn’t just morally right—it’s strategically smart.

The Way Forward: From Plans to Practice

India’s development narrative will remain incomplete until it embraces gender equality as a core principle. The following steps are vital:

Prioritise the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill by expediting the census and constituency delimitation. Recognise unpaid domestic labour in national statistics and offer social protections like pensions and health insurance to homemakers. Create safe, inclusive, and flexible workplaces, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, to boost female employment. Ensure women’s representation on company boards and in leadership positions across sectors.

Launch mentorship programs for women in technology, science, politics, and business to nurture future leaders. Bridge the digital gender divide by providing affordable devices and internet access along with digital literacy training at grassroots levels. Mandate the collection of gender-disaggregated data in all government schemes to assess progress and guide policy.

Conclusion: A National Priority

India’s slide in gender rankings is not just an international embarrassment; it is a national crisis. The statistics reveal a reality where half the population remains marginalized from the country’s progress. Without equal access and opportunity for women, the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ or developed India will remain aspirational.

The tools for change—laws, policies, and frameworks—already exist. What’s urgently needed is the courage to act. Only when women are equally represented, respected, and rewarded will India truly advance as a just, inclusive, and prosperous nation.

Kashmir in Climate Crossroads: Between Paradise and a Hot Hell

Musaib Bilal

Climate describes the typical weather of an area over many years, usually 30 years or more. It includes temperature, humidity, precipitation, and seasonal patterns, and gives us a sense of what to anticipate in an area. In contrast to the day-to-day changes in weather, climate is long-term and stable. Climate determines our seasons, farming, water cycles, and lifestyle.

As climate starts to alter, it disturbs such long-settled patterns. A couple of degrees of increase in average temperature or change in the pattern of rainfall can give rise to a series of environmental, economic, and social impacts. Climate change can cause increased heatwaves, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and melting ice caps, all of which can destabilize ecosystems, agriculture, and human habitats.

Climate may vary because of natural causes like volcanic activities, fluctuations in solar radiation, and ocean currents. Human activity has overtaken the natural causes in the last few decades. Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, industrial processes, and industrial-scale agriculture have elevated greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases strengthen the greenhouse effect, increasing the amount of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and hastening global warming.

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that warms the Earth to a habitable temperature. The sun’s rays penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere, are absorbed by the surface, and radiate back as heat. Greenhouse gases capture some of this heat in the same way that glass in a greenhouse retains heat. Though necessary in balance, human presence has strengthened this effect, resulting in a warmer Earth and increased global temperatures.

Kashmir has been famous for its moderate and elegantly balanced climate for centuries. The valley was blessed with four clearly defined seasons: winter snows, colorful springs, mild summers, and golden autumns. Winters were marked by snowfall essential for water storage and cultivation, spring brought almond blossoms and greenery to life, summers were temperate relative to mainland India and did not go over 30°C, and autumns, which are referred to as harud locally, marked the harvest season amidst scattered chinar leaves. This regular cycle determined Kashmir’s ecological pattern, tourism seasonality, and farming schedule.

In recent decades, Kashmir has seen disturbing shifts in climate. Temperatures have increased on average by around 1.45°C during the last century, with the majority of warming taking place in recent decades. Winters are shorter, snowfall has decreased, and summers have intensified and become drier. Glaciers are melting at a rate that is nothing short of alarming, with some estimates suggesting as much as 0.5 meters annually. Spring comes earlier than usual, and rainfall is becoming spasmodic, leading to flash floods one day and weeks of unending dryness the next. The apple belt of the region is creeping up in altitude, while traditional crops such as saffron are being plagued by unpredictable weather.

The increase in temperature in Kashmir is closely associated with the strengthening of the greenhouse effect. As greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere as a result of regional and global emissions, they retain more heat, disrupting the natural climate pattern of the valley. This has resulted in glacier retreat, changing snowfall patterns, and enhanced evaporation from water reservoirs. The warming is also shifting the timing and intensity of seasons, exposing the region to floods, droughts, and crop failure.

Though modernisation and globalisation have initiated development and connectivity to Kashmir, they have also played an important role in environmental degradation. Deforestation, rapid urbanisation, widening of roads, and uncontrolled building have decreased green cover and interrupted ecosystems. The usage of fossil fuels in transportation and energy, along with rising plastic waste and pollution, has added to the ecological imbalance of the region. Wetlands and lakes are encroached, and agricultural land is used to create concrete buildings, cutting down forests and the ability of land to hold water and regulate temperature.

Consequences of increasing temperature in Kashmir are many and interconnected. Glaciers, which replenish the rivers of the region, are melting, posing a risk to water availability in the long run. Lakes such as Dal and Wular are decreasing in size because of evaporation and encroachment. The decline in snowfall averts ancient water systems and farming, especially for temperature-dependent crops such as saffron and apples. Increased temperature also enhances the likelihood of forest fires and the outbreak of diseases such as dengue, which were previously a rarity in Kashmir’s chilly climate. Not only do these changes impact the environment but also have profound economic and social implications.

Kashmir’s natural climate has been a tourist hotpot, drawing people for snow in winter, tulip flowers in spring, and summer cool-offs. Tourism is an important sector of the economy, providing livelihood for thousands of people—from the owners of shikaras to hotel owners. Climate change, however, threatens this industry. Lower snowfall affects winter tourism and skiing activities in areas such as Gulmarg. Warmer summers and erratic weather deter travel. Flash floods and landslides are safety hazards. When tourist trends change, the local economy becomes insecure.

The idea that development requires sacrificing nature and heritage is a weak one. Rome, Prague, and many areas of Germany have proved that cities can be modernized without losing cultural and ecological integrity. Kashmir can also forge a different path. By putting money into sustainable infrastructure, curbing urban sprawl, encouraging eco-tourism, and conserving traditional architecture, Kashmir can develop responsibly. Growth here should be gentle, not violent; based on long-term strength, not short-term greed. The valley shouldn’t try to imitate concrete metropolises—it can pioneer as an example of friendly growth.

Kashmir is at a climate crossroads. It can either permit unregulated growth and increased temperatures to wipe its natural and cultural identity, or take action now to safeguard its heritage for the future. Global warming is not some future danger—it is already changing life in the valley day by day. The way forward needs consciousness, policy reform, community engagement, and a commitment to green development. With the proper vision, Kashmir can remain the paradise that it has forever remained—not merely in poetry or memory, but in reality.

The writer is an author, speaker and a Mental Health advocate currently pursuing bachelor’s in chemistry at Amar Singh College. Can be contacted at musaibilal.216061@gmail.com

Missiles & Manners: China’s Peace Lecture While Shipping Warheads

By Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

The wars fought in Last 100 years were of different nature, the guns will blaze and soldiers will fall like pack of cards. The causality was human lives and destruction of infrastructure was not of that quantum. India and Pakistan have always chosen partners not politically motivated, but as per need based. India sided with USSR and Pakistan did join with China since its existence. India has always added new allies by having excellent foreign policies since 2000, who have acknowledged India being the 4^th power in the world and dominated in ASIAN BELT for long time. USA also acknowledged the supremacy of India at various events of international importance. On other side Pakistan had no option but to remain with China to survive as their Army has been always responsible to create instability for their personal Gains. During the times of Bhutto, Pakistan tried best to create a Muslim Front with People or countries have common goal and Mind set. This was not well received by USA and we witnessed elimination of Muslim leaders like Saddam, Gaddafi and Bhutto himself.

A twist of geopolitical theatre worthy of a tragicomedy, China, the global superpower that enjoys thundering around the South China Sea and baring its fangs at Taiwan, has taken up a new role: peace ambassador in South Asia. After India launched precise airstrikes on May 7 under “Operation Sindoor,” targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam tourist attack, Beijing decided to break its usual silence.

Lin Jian, the foreign ministry spokesperson of China, draped in the usual diplomatic jargon, labelled India’s strikes as “regrettable.” Suddenly, the dragon that snarls over island disputes began preaching yoga-level calmness and restraint to India and Pakistan. The irony? China happens to be the principal arms supplier to Pakistan. If restraint were ammunition, Beijing would be fresh out of stock.

To understand China’s sudden transformation from military muscleman to monk, one needs to revisit its ever-blossoming friendship with Pakistan. For decades, China has handed over more than $20 billion in advanced weapons to Pakistan, from JF-17 fighter jets to state-of-the-art drones, satellite surveillance systems to PL-15A beyond-visual-range missiles. In fact, over 80% of China’s global arms exports are wrapped, boxed, and labelled “For Pakistan.”

So, the country calling for peace is also the one helping Islamabad point bigger, shinier guns at New Delhi. That’s not diplomacy; that’s supplying kerosene and then lecturing on fire safety.

And it doesn’t stop with hardware. China has aided Pakistan’s missile development, generously extending its range to cover all of India. One could say Beijing’s contribution to regional stability is like handing a toddler a chainsaw and hoping he learns to garden.

Let’s add another layer to this absurdity. Back in July 2021, when nine Chinese engineers were killed by terrorists in Pakistan’s Dasu hydro project, the Chinese state media — including their favourite mouthpiece, Global Times — screamed for missile strikes inside Pakistan. Peace and dialogue? Apparently, those are only for India.

This time, the same Global Times claimed India’s May 7 operation killed 26 civilians and injured 46 others. They even conjured up a tale of three Indian jets being shot down, prompting the Indian Embassy in Beijing to send a “fact-check” note, diplomatically telling the Chinese tabloid to stop binge-watching military fiction.

Meanwhile, on the international stage, China has been Pakistan’s loyal diplomatic bouncer. At the United Nations Security Council’s 1267 committee on counter-terrorism, Beijing has repeatedly used its veto muscle to shield Pakistan-based terrorists from international censure. The recent Pahalgam attack? China made sure the resolution read more like a mild reprimand than a strong condemnation.

All this mollycoddling isn’t born out of brotherly love. It’s business. It’s real estate. It’s logistics. It’s the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $62 billion artery of roads, railways, and pipelines slicing through Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK — territories India rightfully claims. Since the 1963 border agreement where Pakistan gifted portions of PoK to China, the latter has been building its influence inch by strategic inch.

China’s infrastructural invasion is guarded by an entire division of Pakistan’s military whose full-time job is not fighting terror but protecting Chinese-funded highways, hydro projects, and whatnot. Sovereignty violations? Apparently, Beijing calls those “development opportunities.”

Back in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wasn’t buying any of it. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Qingdao, he firmly called CPEC a blatant breach of India’s sovereignty. Fast forward to 2025, and India’s surgical retaliation is a thunderous reminder that New Delhi will not sit back while Beijing plays geopolitical puppeteer with Pakistan.

But China wants it both ways: play the benefactor in Islamabad, the peacemaker in New York, and the regional hegemon in Asia. It’s a curious diplomatic yoga pose: one leg on military escalation, the other on strategic restraint.

India, however, has read the dragon’s playbook. It knows that a nation that weaponizes foreign policy can’t also claim to be the torchbearer of peace. Not when it blocks UN sanctions against terror groups on one hand and signs billion-dollar arms deals with their sponsors on the other.

And now, as India takes a firm stance against terrorism with its airstrikes, the same China that wants to establish police stations across Pakistan to protect its own engineers is urging everyone else to “calm down.” Maybe Beijing should send those messages to itself before posting them on state-run news tickers.

I would like to mention her China does not help Pakistan out of love, but for an agenda where they want to grab territory of India in North East and Jammu Kashmir. He is helping enemy of the neighbouring country.

So, next time you hear Beijing say, “We urge both sides to de-escalate,” remember — this is coming from the same country that fuels one side, with the problem, blocks the solution, and still wants applause for being neutral.

Because nothing says “peacemaker” quite like a crate of drones and a side of double standards.