Know Your Rights: 5 Important Women’s Rights in India

Women’s rights in India have come a long way over the years, thanks to our Constitution and many helpful laws. Understanding these rights is important for every woman to feel confident and protected. In this simple guide, we’ll explore the most important rights that protect women across India.

Introduction to Women’s Rights in India

The Indian Constitution promises equality for all and doesn’t allow discrimination based on gender. This forms the foundation of women’s rights in India. Since we gained independence, many laws have been created to protect human rights for women in India and address women-specific issues. 

Recent surveys show that about 1 in 3 Indian women have faced some form of violence from their husbands. This shows why knowing about rights for women in India is so important. When women understand their rights, they can better protect themselves and contribute more to society and the economy.

So, what are the women’s rights in India?

1. Right to Equal Pay

The Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 is an important law that protects women’s rights in India at work. This law says that employers must pay equal money for equal work, no matter if you’re a man or a woman. Even with this law, women still often get paid less than men for the same work.

What does this law cover?

• Employers cannot discriminate when hiring
• Women should get the same pay as men for similar work
• Women should have equal chances for promotions and training

Recent studies show that women in India still earn about 19% less than men for doing the same jobs. The government has set up special complaint offices where women can report unequal pay.

If you face pay discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Labour Commissioner in your state. Employers who don’t follow this law can be fined between ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 or face up to one year in jail, or both.

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2. Right to Dignity and Respect

Every woman has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. This is one of the fundamental rights for women in India. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013), often called the POSH Act, helps protect women from harassment at work.

This right includes protection against:

• Sexual harassment at your workplace
• Stalking and inappropriate watching
• Unwanted photographs or videos
• Disrespectful or demeaning treatment

The law requires all organizations with 10 or more employees to have a committee that handles harassment complaints. According to police records, more women are now reporting crimes against them, which means more women know about their rights and how to use them.

If you face harassment at work, you can complain to your workplace committee. If your organization doesn’t have one, you can go to your district’s committee. For more serious offenses, you can go to the nearest police station or use the government’s online complaint system called SHe-Box.

3. Right to Property and Inheritance

The Hindu Succession Amendment Act of 2005 was a big step forward for rights for women in India related to property. This law gave daughters equal rights in family property, fixing the old unfair system where sons got more.

Important points about property rights:

• Daughters now have equal rights in family property
• Widows have the right to inherit their husband’s property
• Women have rights over agricultural land too
• Your property rights are protected whether you’re married or not

If you have a property dispute, you can go to civil courts or contact the National Commission for Women for guidance.

4. Maternity Benefits

The Maternity Benefit Amendment Act of 2017 improved human rights for women in India by giving working mothers more time off after having a baby. Before this change, women got 12 weeks of paid leave, but now they get 26 weeks.

These benefits include:

• 26 weeks of paid leave for your first two children
• 12 weeks of paid leave for any more children
• 12 weeks of leave for mothers who adopt children under three months old
• Options to work from home after your leave ends
• Daycare facilities at workplaces with 50 or more employees

These better benefits have helped almost 1.8 million working women across India. The law says employers must tell women about these rights when they hire them.

If your employer doesn’t give you these benefits, you can complain to the Labour Commissioner. Employers who break this law can be fined ₹50,000 to ₹100,000.

5. Protection Against Domestic Violence

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) is an important law that safeguards women’s rights in India at home. This law protects women from physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and financial abuse by family members.

This law helps women to get:

• Protection orders to stop abusers
• The right to stay in their home even after reporting abuse
• Child custody orders
• Money for damages and medical expenses
• Financial support through maintenance orders

During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence complaints more than doubled, showing how important these protections are. The government has set up a special helpline (1091) and support centers across districts to help women facing violence.

If you face domestic violence, you can contact Protection Officers, support services, or directly apply to local magistrates. You can also call the 24-hour Women Helpline (1091) or the domestic violence helpline (181) for immediate help.

What Are the Women’s Rights in India Beyond These Five?

Besides the rights we’ve talked about, women in India have many other important protections:

Political Rights

• 33% reserved seats in local government bodies
• Equal right to vote and contest elections

Educational Rights

• Right to free education
• Special scholarship programs for girls

Reproductive Rights

• Right to make choices about pregnancy under certain conditions
• Protection for your reproductive health decisions

Protection from Trafficking

• Laws against forced prostitution
• Special protection for girls under 18 from sexual offenses

These additional laws further strengthen the framework of human rights for women in India, creating better protection for women facing different types of discrimination and violence.

Conclusion

Understanding women’s rights in India is the first step toward equality and empowerment. Our laws protecting fundamental rights for women in India keep getting better through new legislation and court decisions. But knowing about these rights is key to actually using them.

By knowing and using these rights, women can build safer, better lives while helping create a fairer society for everyone.

If you need guidance on women’s rights or want to report violations, you can contact the National Commission for Women helpline at 7827170170 or visit the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s website.

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FAQs- Common Questions On Rights Of Women In India

What are the 5 important rights of Indian Women?

Ans. Fundamental rights for women are the core rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, ensuring equality and empowerment. The 5 important rights include the right to equality, dignity and decency, education, healthcare, political participation, protection against domestic violence, and rights at the workplace.

How can Indian women protect their rights?

Ans. Indian women can protect their rights by educating themselves about their rights and the laws that protect them, speaking up against discrimination and violence, seeking support from family or organization, documenting incidents for legal evidence and reporting violations to relevant authorities.

What are the challenges faced by women in India?

Ans. Women in India face challenges such as gender-based violence, unequal access to education and healthcare, limited representation in decision-making processes, discrimination in the workplace, and many more.

Why is gender equality important for being an inclusive society?

Ans. Gender equality is crucial for building an inclusive society as it ensures that everyone, regardless of their gender, has equal opportunities and rights. It fosters a society where women can thrive without fear of discrimination and empowers them to live fulfilling lives with dignity and respect.

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