The Indian judiciary has consistently strived to advance women’s welfare and raise the social standing of women in India. It has consistently worked to provide women the same status and rights as males in society. Women need to know about the rights and benefits that the government provides for them, especially in light of the rise in crimes against them.
In the overall structure of the judiciary exams, a thorough comprehension of the Legislations for women in India is essential.
law related to women’s rights in India
There are various laws for women’s rights in India empowering women in India. Some of them are as follows:
The “DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT (1961)” Legislation
- It is an act that forbids receiving or giving dowries. The Dowry Prohibition Act was passed on May 1, 1961, with the intention of outlawing the exchange or receiving of dowries.
- The Dowry Prohibition Act defines dowry as any property, merchandise, or money provided in connection with a marriage by any parent of one of the parties, by either party themselves, or by anybody else.
- All Indian religions are covered under the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The “MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT (1961)” Legislation
- This legislation guarantees paid leaves of absence to all working women throughout their pregnancy.
- The Maternity Benefit Act (1961) safeguards a woman’s job during her pregnancy and grants her the right to a “maternity benefit,” which is a fully paid leave of absence from work to care for her unborn child.
- Any establishment with ten or more employees must abide by the act.
The “EQUAL REMUNERATION ACT (1976)” Legislation
- A legislation to ensure that men and women employees get equal compensation and to prohibit discrimination against women in the workplace on the basis of gender, as well as for other related or incidental purposes.
- It guarantees that women in similar positions receive equal compensation to men.
- It forbids gender discrimination of any kind in the workplace.
The “PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT (2005)” Legislation
- A historic form of legislation that addresses the widespread issue of domestic violence against women is the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005.
- This legislation provides victims of abuse legal recourse such as safety orders, citizenship orders, and financial assistance along with identifying other types of abuse, such as monetary, psychological, and physical abuse.
- This legislation has been crucial in eliminating the taboo surrounding domestic abuse and providing survivors with legal remedies by recognizing it as an infringement of women’s rights.
The “INDECENT REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN ACT (1986)” Legislation
- This legislation makes it illegal to publish or mail books, pamphlets, or other materials that depict women indecently.
- No one may publish, distribute, hire, sell, manufacture, or send by mail any book, booklet, paper, slide, film, piece of writing, drawing, creating art, photograph, representation, or figure that in any way depicts women indecently.
The “COMMISSION OF SATI ACT (1987)” Legislation
- This legislation aims to address issues related to or incidental to the conduct of sati and associated glorifying, as well as to effectively prevent such acts from occurring.
- It eliminates the evil of Sati, in which a wife and her deceased husband are cremated together while still alive.
The “NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN ACT (1990)” Legislation
- This legislation establishes a National Commission for Women and addresses issues related to or arising from it that pertain to women’s welfare.
- According to the National Commission for Women Act of 1990, the National Commission for Women was established as a statutory body in January 1992.
- It was mandated to examine the legal and constitutional protections for women, suggest corrective legislative measures, assist in resolving complaints, and counsel the government on all issues pertaining to women’s policy.
The “SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE ACT (2013)” Legislation
- One of the most significant developments of legislation for the workplace toward providing women safer workplaces is the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, of 2013.
- This legislation for the workplace creates a legal framework for addressing sexual harassment claims and compels employers to set up internal grievance committees.
- This act, which recognizes the significance of a harassment-free place of employment, has contributed to promoting a culture of dignity and respect for women in the workplace.
- It is a legislation for work health and safety.
The legal framework of India has undergone substantial changes throughout time, especially with the enactment of a number of groundbreaking legislations with the goal of promoting and defending women’s fundamental rights and eliminating the law against women’s rights. Together with each other, these legislations address a range of worries connected to gender equality, from dowries and domestic abuse to maternity advantages and a safe workplace through the women’s safety laws in India.
A thorough understanding of these legislations is essential for academic success as potential legal professionals get ready for judiciary exams, but it’s also important for making an advantageous effect on the continuous efforts to build a society that is more equitable and just.
