What are the Women’s Rights in India
What are the Women’s Rights in India – Rights of women in India – We live in a society where women are worshipped as goddesses while on the other hand they are being harassed, insulated, and humiliated. But in today’s modern world, women also have a place of dignity and equality. Today’s women are self-reliant, ambitious, and competing with the modern world. The condition of women in India is improving day by day.
They have been given many rights and privileges by law and have been given a place of honour by being included in the mainstream of society. But empowering women alone cannot end injustice. It is very important to make them aware of their rights to end the injustice done to them as many women are not aware of their rights. Discrimination between men and women has been going on in India for a long time.
Men were given more preference than women. Women play an important role in our society. But in some places, women are discriminated on the basis of age, skin colour, health, caste, religion. So it is important to empower women to eliminate all discrimination
Constitutional rights of women
Fundamental rights are the mainstay of the Indian constitution. Fundamental rights that are given under Article 12 to 35 in the Constitution of India. It states many rights which are helpful to women to live with dignity. The Indian Constitution is based on equality. The Principle of Equality is a feature of the Indian Constitution. The Indian Constitution plays an important role in the upliftment of women in India. The Constitution of India has made it clear that women are equal to men.
Article 14 of the Constitution of India deals with the concept of equality. This principle of equality made a revolution in many aspects.
It is restricted to inequality and encourages the weaker section of society. Article 14 of the constitution of India envisages the right to equality which states the two important phrases ‘equality before the law’ and ‘equal protection of laws’. Both concepts are very important for the upliftment of women.
Article 15 of the constitution of India
Article 15 of the constitution of India declare that states should not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion, sex, caste, and place of birth. Also, Article 15 prohibits discrimination against any citizen. article 15(3) which plays a major role in making special for women and children as Article 15(3) of the constitution of India gives permission to the state to make any special provision for women and children.
Article 16 of the constitution of India is also giving equal opportunity to citizens in employment. No citizen can be discriminated by the state in matters relating to appointment to any office under the state.
What are the Women’s Rights in India
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
Article 36 to 51 of the constitution of India deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). In the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) many provisions are made for women and the aim of these provisions is to secure the rights of women, to promote the special initiative towards women, and to give direction to state about the policymaking for weaker section of the society.
Article 39 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) direct state to make policies to secure the equal rights of men and women and ensure that there should the equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
Article 42 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) direct state to make provision for maternity relief.
As we discussed above the aim of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) is to direct the state to secure the rights of the weaker section of the society and to protect them from injustice and exploitation. These aims are enshrined in article 46 of the constitution of India which directs the special care for the weaker section of the society in the area of education and economy
Article 51 A of the Constitution of India deals with Fundamental Duties which are added in our constitution by 42nd amended in 1976. Fundamental duties of citizens are important for women as it states that it is the duty of citizens in India to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
The Constitution of India is one of the most detailed constitutions in the world. As it contained all the rights, privileges, duties, rules, and the provisions which are necessary for every section of the society. Local self-government is an ideal example of it. Representation of women in society and their participation in local self-government is important for gender equality and democratic governance.
Article 243 of the Constitution of India
Article 243 of the Constitution of India deals with the reservation of women in local self-government. At the panchayat level, not less than one-third of seats are reserved for the women and not less than one-third offices of the Chairpersons are reserved for the women. At the municipalities, not less than one-third of seats are reserved for the women and also there is a reservation office of Chairpersons in Municipalities for women.
OTHER LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR WOMEN
Apart from the constitution provision, there are many legal provisions are made for the women. In the Indian Penal Code, there are crimes which are identified as a crime against women such as Rape, kidnapping, Molestation, Sexual Harassment, Homicide for Dowry, Dowry Deaths or their attempt, torture, both mental and physical, Importation of girls.
What are the Women’s Rights in India
- Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
- The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
- The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
- The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948
- The Family Courts Act, 1954
- The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987
- The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1976
National Commission for Women
The Government of India established the National Commission for Women in January 1992. NCW is the statutory body of the government of India. The main purpose of the National Commission for Women is to advise the government of India in a matter which is related to the women. NCW is working hard to secure the rights of women and It is becoming the voice of women in India.
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