9 WOMEN RIGHTS & LAW ACT IN INDIA YOU MUST KNOW

India has several laws and provisions aimed at safeguarding the rights of women and ensuring gender equality. Here are nine key women’s rights and laws in India:

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:

• This act is designed to protect women from physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse within the home. It provides for the issuance of protection orders, residence orders, and monetary reliefs.

The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:

• This act prohibits the giving or receiving of dowry. Dowry is a practice where the bride’s family gives money, property, or valuable goods to the groom’s family. The act aims to prevent the social evil of dowry-related harassment and violence against women.

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961:

• This act regulates the employment of women in certain establishments for a specific period before and after childbirth. It provides for maternity leave and other benefits to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women and new mothers.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013:

• This act addresses the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace and mandates the establishment of Internal Complaints Committees in organizations. It aims to create a safe and secure working environment for women.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971:

• This act regulates the termination of pregnancies to safeguard the health of women. It allows for the termination of pregnancies under specified conditions and with the approval of medical professionals.

The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (Amended in 2005):

• The amendment to this act in 2005 granted daughters equal rights to ancestral property. Earlier, daughters had limited inheritance rights, but the amendment aimed at promoting gender equality in matters of property inheritance.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006:

• This act prohibits the solemnization of marriages where either the girl is below 18 years of age or the boy is below 21 years of age. Child marriage is a social evil that often leads to the violation of the rights of young girls.

The Women’s Reservation Bill (not yet enacted):

• While not yet enacted into law, the Women’s Reservation Bill proposes to reserve one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s Parliament) and state legislative assemblies for women.

The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976:

• This act prohibits discrimination in payment of wages on the grounds of gender. It mandates equal pay for equal work and provides for the prevention of discrimination against women in matters of employment and wages.

It’s important to note that while these laws exist, the effective implementation and enforcement can sometimes be challenging. Women’s rights advocates continue to work towards raising awareness and ensuring that these legal provisions are effectively utilized to protect and promote the rights of women in India.