The key rights provided to women in India

There is need to understand and have knowledge about the key rights provided to women in India. Women in India are guaranteed several rights under the Constitution of India and various other laws and policies. Thus, these rights aim to ensure gender equality and protect women from discrimination and violence.
The key rights provided to women in India
Fundamental Rights
1. Right to Equality:
Article 14 of the Indian Constitution provides for equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
2. Right Against Discrimination:
Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Therefore, it seeks to promote equality and prevent unfair treatment based on these characteristics.
3. Right to Equality of Opportunity:
Article 16 provides for equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Consequently, it aims to ensure that all individuals have a fair chance to compete for and secure public positions without discrimination.
4. Right to Freedom:
Article 19 guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade, or business. Furthermore, these freedoms are essential for fostering a democratic society and protecting individual rights.
5. Right to Life and Personal Liberty:
Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. In addition, this has been interpreted to include the right to live with dignity, personal autonomy, and privacy.
6. Right Against Exploitation:
Articles 23 and 24 prohibit trafficking in human beings, forced labor, and child labor. Therefore, these provisions aim to safeguard individuals from exploitation and ensure their fundamental rights are protected.
7. Right to Education:
Article 21A mandates free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years, which includes girl children. Consequently, this provision ensures that educational opportunities are accessible to all children, regardless of gender.
Read more: UGC Online Courses: New Registration Procedure Introduced for Open and Distance Learning!
Other Rights
1. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence:
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides for the protection of women from domestic violence in a shared household. Moreover, it establishes legal remedies and support systems to ensure the safety and well-being of affected women.
2. Right to Equal Remuneration:
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 ensures equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
3. Maternity Benefits:
The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 provides for maternity leave and other benefits for women employees. Also, the (Amendment) Act, 2017 brought significant changes to the original 1961 Act to enhanced the rights and benefits for pregnant women in the workforce.
4. Protection from Sexual Harassment:
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 aims to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work. Furthermore, it establishes mechanisms for addressing grievances and ensuring a safer work environment.
5. Prohibition of Child Marriage:
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 prohibits the marriage of girls below 18 years and boys below 21 years of age. In addition, it provides for penalties and legal measures to enforce these age limits and protect the rights of children.
6. Right to Inherit Property:
The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 provides daughters equal rights to inherit ancestral property. Moreover, it aims to rectify historical gender disparities in inheritance laws and promote gender equality.
7. Right to Abortion:
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 allows for the termination of pregnancy under certain conditions. However, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021 introduced significant changes like the amendment increased the upper gestation limit for abortion from 20 weeks to 24 weeks for certain categories of women.
8. Protection under Criminal Law:
Various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which is India’s new penal code that replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on December 25, 2023, protect women from offenses such as rape, molestation, and dowry-related crimes.
9. Reservation in Panchayats and Municipalities:
Moreover, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments provide for the reservation of seats for women in local government bodies.
Thus, these rights are part of the broader framework to empower women and promote gender equality in India. Various government schemes and initiatives also aim to enhance the social, economic, and political status of women in the country.
Stay updated with the latest news on online courses and Open and Distance Learning programs on our website. Do not forget to join our Whatsapp Community today so that you do not miss any latest updates on time.
Need clarity on your career options? Our professional counselors are here to help. Schedule your session now on Mytagapp.com!
1 thought on “The key rights provided to women in India”