Since the Girl child is born, the girl child and women have had to abide by certain laws and customs. For girls, there are several constraints that are extremely obvious. They have a predetermined time restriction, must sit and dress a certain way, and are not allowed to arrive home late. Girls who have brothers more often than not feel trapped by several constraints, whereas their brothers are not subject to any. Since women started becoming aware of women’s employment, there have been few warnings in urban areas. Women assist the family by working side by side with men and walking shoulder to shoulder with them.
However, practically all Indian women still encounter situations where they feel threatened by men who are passing by or loitering nearby. The parents teach their girls how to act around and behave in society as a whole, but they never teach the boys. As a result, the guys take the rules for granted because they have not been imbued with the same values as the girls. Women are now able to take a position and fight for their rights in recent years. However, the majority of women aren’t even aware that they have the ability to use certain rights, combat frothier rights, and file lawsuits against the perpetrators of their wrongs. Here are a few rights that every woman should be aware of in order to help them understand their own rights.
11 Rights Every Indian Woman Should Know
1. The right to equal pay
In recent years, women have been observed performing all job types well, just like men. She can be found in practically all industries where males work, from truck driving to administrative positions to leadership roles and more. However, the issue of paying women less is still present. A lot of women are speaking out against this inequity. Additionally, they favor pay equity. The Equal Remuneration Act makes it clear that no woman can face salary discrimination because of her caste, religion, or sexual orientation. Their rights are comparable. If they notice a discrepancy in salaries, women should be conscious of this and fight for their rights.
2. The fight against domestic violence
Women are expected to keep their husbands’ and wives’ secrets locked behind closed doors after marriage, and they are taught from an early age to bear all injustice in silence and never to open their mouths for fear that it will spoil their name in society. However, if a woman is being harassed, she has all the right to go and report it in cases of domestic violence or abuse. All women who experience domestic abuse and violence are provided safety and security under this Act. The women should be assured that are safe from any more domestic violence once they have filed a complaint
3. Maternity leave privilege
Many women are still unaware that they have the opportunity to exercise this privilege after giving birth. Women have the right to use this maternity leave benefit, making it more than just a perk for them. The Maternity Benefit Act makes sure that the mother won’t be required to make up any lost wages during a period of twelve weeks when she must take care of her body after giving birth. They must be compensated by the employer or place of employment for their time off and allowed to join the workforce.
4. Rights against harassment at work
This right is also very important, and every woman is required to be aware of it. Every day, we learn of several instances of workplace harassment against women. However, some women choose not to disclose or discuss it with anybody due to their name and sense of dignity out of fear of being held accountable and denigrated by society. But women should keep in mind that they have rights when they report predators. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act was passed to give women a formal complaint process when they are harassed. In order to protect themselves from abuse and harassment, women must use their rights.
5. The right to anonymity
Women may not even be aware of this right. Women frequently refrain from filing complaints because they are afraid of what their families will think of them and don’t always consider the family’s reputation. Therefore, this privilege is absolutely essential for a woman who has been the target of sexual assault, harassment, or molestation and wants to protect her identity. This right keeps women private and safe, ensuring their complete security. When the case is in court or with female police officers present, she can file the complaint in front of the district magistrate.
6. The right not to be arrested at night
This is the most privileged right that women have access to because it prohibits arrests of women at any time of day for any reason. She is not subject to arrest under the right both before and after sunrise. When first-class magistrate orders are present, there is an exception.
7. The right to an equal inheritance share
Although the girl moves home with her husband after the marriage and the boy is given greater weight in the household, this does not negate the girl’s inheritance rights. If their parents do not grant them a share of their daughters for any reason, women must battle for their rights.
8. The right to be free from female foeticide
This right is among the most important rights that every woman should be aware of. Every Indian citizen has a responsibility to ensure that women have access to the most fundamental of all rights—the right to life. She is protected against female foeticide by the Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT). This prevents sex selection before or after a woman has a child. This would also lower the number of undesired and illegal abortions performed in the country for the sake of a boy.
9. Rights to free legal assistance
Another entitlement that many women might not be aware of is the right to free legal assistance. Women should be aware that they are entitled to free legal representation for sexual assault victims. The Legal Service Authorities Act guarantees all female sexual assault victims the right to free legal representation. LSAA. The Station House Office must notify the Legal Services Authority, who will make arrangements for the attorney to represent the victim in court.
10 Rights to Speak Out Against Indecent Representation of Women
If someone utilises an inappropriate depiction of women, women may have a case. The Act forbids anybody from doing this. Additionally, it stops the misrepresentation of women in artwork, literature, or any other form that is against the law and for which she has a full legal claim.
11. Dowry Prohibition Act
The ladies should be informed that under this rule, cleaning the dowry is an offense act and cannot be done by the groom’s family. This law prohibits women from receiving or providing dowries before, during, or after marriage. If the in-laws bother the lady about the dowry, she has a right.
Conclusion:
A single spark is required to start a revolution, and since group efforts and acts have the power to change the law, it is these factors that are intertwined to ensure that women get their time, especially in the face of challenges. Women may only get their rights and efficiently exercise them through awareness and self-preparation. Without awareness, women’s rights won’t be protected by a populist administration or by-laws that are really implemented. Women need to be aware of this and consider how they have been exercising all of their constitutional rights.
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