25 October 2013 Current Affairs
India Ranks 101 on Global Gender Gap Index
Indicating a poor state of affairs on gender parity front, India was on 25 October ranked at a low 101st position on a global Gender Gap Index despite an improvement by four places since last year.The index, compiled by Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF), has ranked 136 countries on how well resources and opportunities are divided between men and women in four broad areas of economy, education, politics, education and health.While India has moved up four positions from its 105th position in 2012, it still remains lowest-ranked among the five BRICS nations.Top-four positions on the global have been retained by Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden.Philippines has moved up to 5th place, while Ireland has slipped one position to sixth rank. They are followed by New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland and Nicaragua in the top ten.The worst performing countries are Yemen (136), Pakisthan (135) and Chad (134).The Global Gender Gap Report, introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006, provides a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities around the world.
French Award For Anjali Gopalan
France on 25 October awarded its highest civilian award ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur’ to Anjali Gopalan for her work on transgenders and HIV positive patients.She was awarded at a function, by Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, the French Cabinet Minister for Women’s Right.Anjali Gopalan is an Indian Human Rights and Animals Rights Activist.She started the Naz Foundation (India) Trust as its executive director, which further changed the lives of the HIV Positive, transgenders and homosexuals .