The law changes and flows like water, and the stream of women’s rights law has become a sudden rushing torrent.
- Shana Alexander
In India, a lot of women are unaware of their legal rights, pushing them further into oppression. Let us change that!
A well-informed person can tell the difference between right and wrong, and this blog will definitely help you in becoming more capable of dealing with any rough waters in India. Women’s rights are well-protected in India. Women have exclusive rights in our Constitution for their protection and development. On the grounds of gender equality, here are 7 important rights an Indian woman holds in India:
1. RIGHT TO EQUAL PAY AND OPPORTUNITY
Under section 4 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, an employer has to pay equal remuneration to the employee for the same work or work of similar nature irrespective of the gender of the employee. We now have gender-neutral laws.
The Equal Remuneration Act stipulates this. It ensures that men and women workers are paid equally for the same or equivalent labor. There shall be no discrimination based on gender in terms of recruiting or working conditions.
2. RIGHT TO FREE LEGAL AID
Under section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, a woman is entitled to free legal aid from the Legal Services Authorities if need be. If a woman visits a police station without being accompanied by an advocate, she can demand the same to be arranged under this law.
Regardless of whether you can afford legal services on your own, you are entitled to free legal assistance from the legal services authorities authorized under the act before any Court, tribunal, or authority.
3. RIGHT TO PROTECTION AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT THE WORKPLACE
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, is a law that protects women against sexual harassment at their workplace and also details the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace.
If someone at your workplace asks you for sexual favors, makes sexually colored remarks, whistles at you, sings obscene songs at you, touches you inappropriately, or shows pornography, you have the right to file a complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee which is required to be formed by the employer at each office or branch with ten or more employees.
4. RIGHT TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY
Every Indian citizen has the right to protection of life and personal liberty as established under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Every woman has the right to a dignified life free of fear, compulsion, assault, or prejudice.
Women’s dignity and modesty are well respected by the law. Sexual Harassment (Section 354A), assault with intent to disrobe her (Section 354B) or outrage her modesty (Section 354), Voyeurism (Section 354C), Stalking (354D), and other crimes against women are all punishable under the law.
5. ZERO FIR
According to the Supreme court order, a woman can register an FIR at any police station, regardless of the jurisdiction or location of the incident. This FIR is referred to as a Zero FIR, and later can be moved to the respective Police Station whose jurisdiction the case falls under. The Supreme Court made this decision to save the victim’s time and prevent a criminal from walking free.
6. RIGHT AGAINST BEING STALKED
If an offender follows a woman, tries to contact her to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest, or monitors a woman’s use of the internet, email, or any other form of electronic communication, he or she may face legal consequences under Section 354D of the IPC.
7. RIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Because of the 2005 enactment of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, every woman has the right to be free from domestic violence. Domestic violence encompasses not only physical abuse; but also mental, sexual, and economic harassment. The Indian Penal Code protects women who are victims of domestic violence under Section 498A, which punishes the husband or his relatives with up to three years in prison and a fine.
Women are well-protected under Indian law. Every Indian woman should be aware of these eight basic rights for women. A person who understands the law does not require a weapon. Her weapon is the law, which makes her the most powerful person on the planet.
You become wise when you are aware of your rights. Only then can you resist any injustice that is perpetrated against you at home, at work, or in society. So ladies here’s the bottom line: “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
