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- Every year on April 7, World Health Day is celebrated to raise global awareness about a wide range of health-related issues.
- About World Health Day 2025:
- World Health Day is observed annually on April 7.
- This date marks the anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, and the day has been commemorated since 1950.
- Each year, World Health Day highlights a specific health issue that impacts people worldwide.
- By focusing on a unique theme each year, the observance encourages governments, healthcare organizations, and individuals to work together to improve health standards and expand healthcare access.
- The theme for World Health Day 2025 is 'Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.'
- This theme will launch a year-long campaign centered on maternal and newborn health.
- The campaign will advocate for increased efforts from governments and the healthcare sector to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
- It will also emphasize the long-term health and well-being of women, promoting initiatives that support healthy pregnancies, safe births, and improved postnatal care.
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, has recently published the 26th edition of its report titled “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data.”
- About Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data:
- This publication, released by MoSPI, provides a detailed overview of gender-related statistics in India, covering key areas such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making. The data is sourced from various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations.
- The report uses official statistics to offer gender-disaggregated data, providing insights across urban and rural areas as well as different geographical regions. This helps in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women and men.
- Key Highlights from the 2024 Report:
- The Gender Parity Index (GPI) for enrollments at primary and higher secondary levels showed improvement in FY24 compared to FY23 and FY22, reflecting an increase in female enrollment.
- At upper primary and elementary levels, enrollment rates for boys and girls were nearly equal.
- The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women aged 15 and above showed significant growth, increasing from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24.
- In the banking sector, women hold 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute to 39.7% of total deposits, with a notable presence in rural areas where women account for 42.2% of account holders.
- Female participation in the capital market is on the rise, although the overall numbers remain modest. From March 2021 to November 2024, the number of DEMAT accounts increased from 33.26 million to 143.02 million, with women’s account holders growing from 6.67 million to 27.71 million.
- There has been an increase in the percentage of female-headed proprietary establishments in manufacturing, trade, and services sectors over the years (2021-2024).
- The number of voters, both male and female, grew from 173.2 million in 1952 to 978 million in 2024, with a growing proportion of female voters.
- In the 2024 general elections, female voter turnout (65.8%) surpassed male turnout, despite a slight dip from 67.2% in 2019.
- Female entrepreneurship has also seen a sharp rise. The number of startups recognized by DPIIT with at least one woman director grew significantly from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024.
- The wildlife division of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD) has recently captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the rare Woolly Flying Squirrel in the Miyar Valley, located in the Lahaul and Spiti district.
- About the Woolly Flying Squirrel:
- The Woolly Flying Squirrel, also known as the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel, is one of the most elusive and least understood mammals in Asia.
- It is endemic to the northwestern Himalayas.
- Scientific Name: Eupetaurus cinereus
- It is the only species in the genus Eupetaurus.
- The squirrel was believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1994, nearly 70 years after it was last seen.
- Habitat:
- It is found in fragmented habitats, primarily within a narrow elevational band of dry coniferous woodlands.
- Distribution:
- The Woolly Flying Squirrel is native to northern Pakistan and northwestern India.
- Since its rediscovery in 1994, specimens have been recorded in regions such as Sai Valley, Gorabad, and Balti Gali, all in northern Pakistan.
- Physical Features:
- Like other flying squirrels, it possesses elastic membranes connecting the fore and hind legs, which aid in gliding.
- Its body is covered in a dense coat of silky, straight hairs.
- The dorsal fur is blue-gray, while the underside is a pale gray color.
- Creamy white fur covers the throat and ears, and black fur covers the soles of the feet, except for the pinkish-brown, naked toe pads.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Endangered