India’s first HPV vaccine
In India, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, accounting for an estimated 70,000 fatalities annually. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 90 per cent of cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income nations, making it the fourth most frequent malignancy in women globally. Although it has been demonstrated that the HPV vaccine greatly lowers the number of cases, access to the vaccine in India has been severely restricted due to the high cost of the current doses, which are supplied by international pharmaceutical corporations.
Thankfully, a potent weapon in the fight against HPV has been made available with the introduction of vaccinations. There are numerous vaccines available in India to prevent genital warts and malignancies linked to HPV. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is responsible for over 90 per cent of all incidences of cervical cancer, and an HPV vaccination has been available since 2006. The second most prevalent cancer among Indian women can be prevented with a simple vaccination. The most well-known vaccine is Gardasil 9, which protects against nine different HPV strains that cause most malignancies linked to HPV. The Serum Institute of India produced Cervavac, the country’s first HPV vaccine. Cervavac is comparatively less expensive than its foreign equivalents and is approved for both boys and girls between the ages of nine and 26.
The Supreme Court Issues A Handbook To Combat Gender Stereotypes
In order to counteract gender stereotypes, the Supreme Court has developed a guideline that advises judges to refrain from using gender terminology inappropriately in court orders and legal papers. According to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, the book reveals preconceptions that courts have unintentionally employed in a number of rulings. They have been emphasised in order to assist judges in avoiding stereotyping by identifying language that contributes to such prejudices. The objective is not to throw doubt on rulings but to warn judges about the use of language that can lead to stereotypes and to help them avoid it.
Installation Of Universal Gender-Neutral Restrooms
Nine universal, gender-neutral restrooms are planned to be built at various sites across the Supreme Court's main building and auxiliary building complex, in addition to the previously approved gender-neutral restroom. Gender neutrality has also been included to the online appearance portal, which was introduced earlier this year to allow solicitors to digitally mark their appearance. In order to guarantee a respectable workplace at the highest court, these landmark initiatives to re-examine organisational and physical developments are intended to raise awareness of and promote inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community.t
Promoting Women’s Rights-Based Insurance Coverage For Reproductive Choices
The majority of family planning services in India are obtained through out-of-pocket costs, private insurance, public health systems, and a few public insurance programs. Policies that offer free or subsidised access to a range of family planning methods have already been put into place by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Under these programs, the federal government purchases contraceptives and distributes them to states and union territories, which then give them to women via public health facilities like district hospitals, medical colleges, primary health centres (PHCs), sub-centers, and ASHA employees.
Many obstetric and gynaecological inpatient operations are covered by Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), India's premier health insurance program. Contraceptives used for family planning are not included though. Access could be greatly increased by including contraceptives in inpatient benefit packages after childbirth or after medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). Furthermore, there is compelling epidemiological data that suggests using oral contraceptives lowers the risk of endometrial cancer by about 50 per cent.
Gender-Neutral Parental Leave Policies To Promote Inclusive Work Environment
As businesses look to promote inclusivity, encourage women's workforce participation, and draw and retain talent from a variety of backgrounds, Indian Incorporations is updating its parental leave policy in response to shifting family patterns and a more diverse workplace. These policies, which fall under the categories of parental, adoption, foster care, kinship is intended to assist parents, including biological, LGBTQIA+, adoptive, and surrogate parents, in questioning conventional gender roles and allowing all individuals to engage in childcare on an equal basis.
A parental leave program that is inclusive and gender-neutral, acknowledging that both parents must be present with their newborns or recently adopted children under three years of age. In accordance with the nation’s maternity law, the primary caregiver is entitled to 26 weeks of leave, while the secondary caregiver is entitled to 4 weeks of parental leave under this program.
Image source: Civil service India, Medium, LiveLaw, Etimg