Humanity, for a long time, placed women at the unfair end of treatment. Women, through their daily lives, need to protect themselves and deal with misconduct. So, envisioning social empowerment, the nation creates specific laws for women. After all, awareness about the legal and ethical backing makes a woman powerful. Moreover, she can then raise her voice to fight crimes and social disadvantages.
Laws for women relating to livelihood and workplace
Gender roles are a dying concept. With more and more women are joining the race for reputable skills and jobs, it is essential to reduce unfair practices in participation. Therefore, the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 checks discrimination in recruitment and pay structures. It is mandatory under the law to keep precise records that concern employment and pay. This makes it easier to identify gender discrimination, empowering women to question it. Under this act, the government should conduct an inquiry into complaints or questions raised. Furthermore, they should aim to resolve it within one month.
The dignity of a woman is of utmost importance, and so is the right to a safe and cordial working environment. So, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act 2013 supports women against workplace harassment. This powerful law encourages women to condemn any form of workplace harassment. It is especially important in a society where many choose to ignore or tolerate it. Therefore, women have every right to complain. After all, one should not tolerate workplace harassment. The relevant employing authority is bound by the law to take necessary legal action.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/aQfd7DOgb4w?feature=oembed10 Legal Rights of Indian Women
Laws for women relating to reproduction
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees Fundamental Right to Life and Liberty. This also includes the right to health. A woman has every right to decide and respect her body for reproduction. Pregnancy and maternity is a choice, irrespective of social and filial control. So, under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971, a woman can terminate a pregnancy within twenty-four weeks if it can have detrimental effects on their physical or mental health. The matter regarding pregnancy is also a confidential matter. Women have a right to confidentiality. Pregnancy is her choice, free from any social, medical, and legal constraints.
Every woman needs care and time when she attains motherhood. Moreover, being pregnant should not have any unjustified effects on a woman’s employment. Therefore, the Maternity Benefits Act 1961 protects the interests of working women during the pregnancy period. Any establishment that employs women has the duty to pay maternity benefits. This includes paid leave, a stress-free and comfortable working environment, nursing breaks. Even the post-delivery benefits also come under the benefits of this law.
Further, an employer cannot dismiss a woman on maternity from employment without a valid reason. In any such case, dismissals in the pregnancy period need notice without denial of maternity benefits.
Law for women against marriage evils
As a human being, every person has the right to a dignified and respectable place in society. Even today, women face much social evil under the garb of tradition. These harms harm their fundamental human rights. Lawmakers of the country gave thought and action to fight evils like dowry and child marriage.
The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 forbids unethical demand for dowry and abuse for the same. Dowry demand is a state crime, and the law supports a mere complaint by the woman. The burden of proof is on the accused for demanding dowry. They are punishable and liable for compensation to the victim or the family member of the victim. Furthermore, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 secures a woman to a safe domestic environment. The people in a woman’s domestic relations do not have the right to harm her in any manner. If anyone causes physical, mental or emotional anguish, it comes under domestic violence. Forcing decisions against a woman’s clear conscience will also come under domestic violence.
The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 forbids associating women with lewd or hurtful objectification. Any symbolic representation that can cause harm to the dignity of a woman is questionable by the law. Any woman who feels that her body is being objectified in a wrong manner can approach the law to seek redressal. The law will punish the perpetrators of such a crime.
Law for girl and boy child
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, the legal age to marry girls is 18 years, and for boys, it is 21 years. If the culture of a particular community allows child marriages, such a marriage is not recognized by the law. The perpetrators of this social evil are punishable by the law. The party of the marriage who was not of valid age can opt-out of the marriage. This law is of particular importance for building a better future for young girls. Without clear conscience, no girl should conform to marital obligations.
There has been an increase in sexual offences against women and children in recent times. The pandemic has further aggravated this. Also, there is a need to change the ‘blaming the victim’ attitude. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 is an important law that seeks to punish children’s perpetrators of sexual offences. It is an important initiative to bring to light the detrimental effects of the offences, often unreported. It is an important law to safeguard the rights and interests of children. Sexual harassment can leave behind long-lasting emotional scars. There is a need to fight them and address them without haste.
Takeaway
Now, many women are able to recognize and take a stand for their rights in a confident manner. Women can trust the system to come forth with their issues. Laws and their awareness help the women to break social barriers and avail the protection of laws. This confidence is something that every woman must consider a duty. Only then can womanhood achieve its due place and respect in society.
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