Some Laws For Women In India

Read About Some Laws For Women In India

These laws are made not only to give protective gear to women but also certain legal rights.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006

The prohibition of the marriage of children below the age of 21 years in the case of boys and below the age of 18 years in the case of girls.

The punishment for child marriage is 2 years’ imprisonment and fine of 1 lakh rupees.

The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 

The prohibition of giving or taking dowry in terms of money or some other gifts etc. during or after the time of marriage.

However this does not include Dower or Meher in case of Muslim Personal Laws.

The punishment of taking dowry is imprisonment of 2 years and fine not less than fifteen thousand rupees.

Special Marriage Act 1954 

This Act provides special form of marriage for the people of India irrespective of religion.

It is also for all Indian nationals in foreign countries irrespective of the religion or faith followed by either party. 

Maternity Benefit Act 1961 

The act protects the employment of women (both in public or private sector) during the time of her maternity and entitles her for a maternity benefit.

It means full payment even though they are on leave from work to take care of a child.

Sexual harassment of women at workplace Act 2013

The act provides protection against sexual harassment of women at workplace (both public and private sector) and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected therewith.

The punishment for this act is one to three years’ imprisonment or fine.

Indecent representation of women Act 1986

The Act means the prohibition of depiction of women (it can be advertisement, labels, stamps etc.) in any manner in terms of figure of women, her form of body or any part in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent or is likely to deprave or injure the public morality.

The punishment for first conviction is imprisonment of two years and fine of two thousand rupees

In the second conviction the imprisonment may extend from six months to five years and a fine not less than ten thousand rupees to one lakh rupees.

Equal Remuneration Act 1976

An Act to provide for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers for the prevention of discrimination on the ground of sex and to reduce discrimination against women in the matter of employment and for matters connected therewith.

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The punishment for being biased is fine of ten thousand which may extend to fifteen thousand rupees and imprisonment for three months but which may extend to one year.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971

The Act states that women can get abortion done if the medical service provider assess that during or post-pregnancy there is a risk to the women’s life or if the child born could be handicapped.

The act states that nobody else’s permission except that of women is required for abortions and her pregnancy.

It also covers single unmarried adult women.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986

As per the Act, a divorced Muslim Woman is entitled to reasonable and fair provision and maintenance from her former husband and that should be paid within the period of iddah (period a woman observes after the death of husband or divorce)

Hindu Widows Remarriage Act 1856

This act legalised the remarriage of Hindu widows and the widow was authorised to forfeit any inheritance that she may have obtained from her deceased husband. 

The act also provides legal safeguards and protection to men who marries widows. 

Apart from these, there are many other laws for women in India