Daily Current Affairs – 13 March, 2026

Women in Political Leadership

Context

Recent data released during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) highlights the persistent under-representation of women in political leadership worldwide.

Key Findings

It shows women hold just 22.4% of cabinet posts and 27.5% of parliamentary seats worldwide.

Only 28 countries are currently led by a woman, while 101 countries have never had a female head of state or government.

As of January 2026, 54 women serve as parliamentary speakers, representing 19.9% of all speakers, marking the first decline in 21 years.

Atmanirbharta and Strategic Autonomy in an Era of Big-Power Rivalry

Context

Recent geopolitical developments and the strategic use of trade, energy, finance and technology by major powers highlight the importance of self-reliance in critical sectors for safeguarding national security and foreign policy autonomy.

Historical Incidents of India’s External Dependencies

Food Dependence: In the 1960s, India relied heavily on food imports under the PL‑480 Food Aid Program of the United States. The droughts of 1965–67 exposed this vulnerability and highlighted the political risks of external dependence.

This led to the launch of the Green Revolution, enabling India to achieve food self-sufficiency.

Defence Equipment Dependence: The Sino‑Indian War revealed serious shortages in defence equipment. It prompted India to modernise its defence forces and diversify defence partnerships.