Knowing your legal rights is the first step toward empowerment.
In India, several laws safeguard women’s safety, dignity, and equality in various aspects of life.
Understanding these key Acts can help every woman protect herself and assert her rights confidently.

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention Prohibition And Redressal) Act, 2013

• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, aims to provide a safe working environment for women by prohibiting and addressing sexual harassment at workplaces.
• It mandates the creation of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in organisations with 10 or more employees.
• The Act defines sexual harassment broadly, covering physical, verbal, and non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
• It also outlines the procedure for filing complaints, conducting inquiries, and ensuring protection against retaliation

The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, makes the giving or receiving of dowry a punishable offence in India.
• Dowry is defined as any property or valuable security given in connection with marriage.
• The Act prescribes penalties, including imprisonment of up to 5 years and fines.
• It aims to curb the social evil of dowry and protect women from related harassment and violence.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, provides a legal framework to protect women from physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and economic abuse within domestic relationships.
• It offers immediate relief measures such as protection orders, residence rights, and monetary relief.
• The Act covers not only wives but also women in live-in relationships and family members.
• Its goal is to ensure women’s safety, dignity, and access to justice within the home.

Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986

• The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, prohibits the depiction of women in an indecent or derogatory manner in advertisements, publications, writings, paintings, figures, or any other media.
• It aims to safeguard women’s dignity and prevent objectification.
• The Act applies to both print and electronic media.
• Violations can result in imprisonment and fines, ensuring accountability for such representations.

Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

• The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, regulates the employment of women during the period of childbirth and entitles them to paid maternity leave.
• It provides 26 weeks of leave for the first two children and 12 weeks for subsequent children.
• The Act also ensures benefits like nursing breaks and protection from dismissal during maternity leave.
• Its objective is to safeguard the health and well-being of both mother and child.

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994

• The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, aims to prevent sex-selective abortions and curb the declining child sex ratio in India.
• It prohibits the use of diagnostic techniques to determine the sex of a fetus and bans sex selection before or after conception.
• Medical practitioners and clinics must be registered under the Act.
• Violations can lead to imprisonment, fines, and cancellation of medical licenses.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971

• The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, regulates the conditions under which a pregnancy can be legally terminated in India.
• It permits abortion up to 20 weeks of gestation under specific grounds such as risk to the mother’s life, physical or mental health, fetal abnormalities, or rape.
• Amendments in 2021 extended the limit to 24 weeks for certain categories of women and removed the marital status distinction for abortion access.
• Only registered medical practitioners in approved facilities can perform the procedure.

Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956

• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, aims to combat human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
• It criminalises activities such as running brothels, procuring or detaining persons for prostitution, and soliciting in public places.
• The Act provides for the rescue and rehabilitation of victims through protective homes and welfare measures.
• It focuses on punishing exploiters while safeguarding the rights and dignity of trafficked individuals.

National Commission for Women Act, 1990

• The National Commission for Women Act, 1990, established the National Commission for Women (NCW) as a statutory body to safeguard and promote women’s rights.
• It empowers the NCW to review constitutional and legal safeguards, recommend policy changes, and address grievances related to women’s issues.
• The Commission can investigate cases, summon individuals, and ensure proper implementation of laws for women’s protection.
• It plays a vital role in advocating gender equality and advising the government on women-centric legislation.

To know more about these essential acts, do check out the resources available on EBC webstore.