Given the recent rise in crimes against women, it becomes imperative for every Indian woman to take the reins in her hands and protect herself from any danger. Sharing below the top ten rights every Indian woman should know.
First and foremost, working women should know about their rights against workplace harassment. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 lays down guidelines to protect women against sexual harassment at the workplace and prevent redressal complaints of sexual harassment.
Another fundamental right for a working woman is her Right to Equal Pay. Taken as a measure to reduce the gender equity gap, Section 4 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, states that an employer must pay equal remuneration to women and men workers for the same work or work with similar nature. In other words, no individual can be discriminated against based on gender when it comes to salary or wages.
One of the recent rights, the Maternity Benefits Act (2017), protects the interests of working women during their pregnancy. According to this act, every employer has to grant special facilities to female employees during the tenure of her pregnancy. These unique benefits include Paid Maternity Leave (from 12 to 26 weeks), Work from Home Opportunity (with expected pay benefits), and also Crèche facilities at the workplace. This act provides the much-needed push to working mothers.
Another important right is the Right against Domestic Violence. Cases with domestic violence often go unreported due to the social stigma around it; hence the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence (2005) is a principal right. The act seeks to protect a wife, a female live-in partner, or women who live in a household like a sister or a mother from domestic violence from a husband, a male live-in partner, or other male relatives.
Dowry demands are often the motivation behind cases of domestic violence. So, Dowry Prohibition Act (1961) penalizes any act of gives and takes between the two families. It also punishes the act of promoting dowry.
Another important right is the Right against Indecent Representation, which penalizes any depiction of a woman’s figure in any manner that is indecent or derogatory or is likely to degrade, corrupt, or injure the public morality or morals.
Making a radical change in patriarchal mindset, the Right to an Equal Share in Inheritance, or The Hindu Succession Act, states that both women and men get equal share in the inheritance.
Some other rights exclusive to women are the Right to No Arrest that states that no woman can be arrested before 6 am or after 6 pm. Furthermore, the Right to register Virtual Complaints makes it easier for victims to complain. If a woman cannot go to a police station physically, the law gives women the provision to file virtual complaints via e-mail or write their complaint and send it to a police station from a registered postal address. Further, to record her complaint, the SHO can send a police constable. In addition to this, there is The Right to Zero FIR, which allows them to file a complaint at any police station or precinct irrespective of the incident’s location or its specific jurisdiction. The Zero FIR can be later moved to the Police Station under whose jurisdiction the case falls.
Apart from these rights, Indian women also have other exclusive rights. However, mere existence of laws will not protect women. Proper implementation of the laws and awareness is also critical to reduce injustice against women.
FightHer 