Women Laws in India

Women Laws in India

Author: Punam Pramanick, a BALLB student of Department of Law, University of Calcutta, West Bengal.

In India women are not aware of their rights. Our constitution provides specific rights to women for their protection and development. Indian Law protects women very well. These most important laws that every women should be know. A person who knows law, doesn’t need any weapon. Law itself is his weapon which makes him the most powerful person. Awareness about your rights makes you smart and just. Only if you are aware of your rights, can you fight against any injustice meted out to you at home, at the workplace, or in the society. These laws are discussed below -

1.Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: 

Dowry remains as an old evil in Indian societies. This act prohibited dowry system. If someone give and take dowry by bride or bridegroom or by their parents before or after marriage, then he or she penalized by Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The act defines ‘Dowry’ as any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly by one party to the other but does not include dower or mahr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim personal law (shariat) applies. If you give, take or abet giving and taking dowry, then you shall be punishable with a minimum imprisonment of 5 years and minimum fine of rs.15,000.

2.Indian Divorce Act, 1969: 

The Indian Divorce Act allows the dissolution of marriage, mutual consent, nullity of marriage, judicial separation and restitution of conjugal rights. This act governs divorce among Christians. There are some other acts which apply to other communities.

Family Courts are established to file, hear, and dispose of such cases.

3. Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971:

 The Act came into effect from 1972. The aim of the Act is to reduce the occurrence of illegal abortion and consequent maternal mortality and morbidity. It clearly states the conditions under which a pregnancy can be ended or aborted and specifies the persons qualified to conduct the same. Regulates the termination of pregnancies by medical practitioners.

4. Sexual Harassment of women at workplace (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013: 

Woman who are working, are protected by this law. It prevents any person from subjecting a woman to any kind of sexual harassment at works place. After the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Vishakha V. State of Rajasthan, the legislature in 2013 enacted this law. It specifically defines what sexual harassment at works place is and any person found to be guilty is punishable under this law. The dignity of working women are protected by this Act. Sexual harassment at workplace also includes – the use of language with sexual overtones, invasion of private space with a male colleague hovering too close for comfort, subtle touches and innuendoes.

5. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006:

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act was made effective in 2007. This act defines child marriage as a marriage where the groom or the bride are underage, that is, the bride is under 18 years of age or the boy is younger than 21 years. Parents trying to marry underage girls are subject to action under this law. Since the law makes these marriages illegal, it acts as a major deterrent. This act’s aims to combat the deep-rooted issue of child marriage.