Different Forms of Violence against Women A. Violence in the Family: Traditional practices Son preference Domestic violence Sexual assault within marriage B. Violence in the Community Rape Sexual Violence at Workplace Custodial violence against women Trafficking

Laws Protecting Women’s Rights

The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 Dowry is defined in the Act as any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly by one party to the other party to the marriage. By the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person at or before or any time after the marriage in connection with the marriage of the said parties. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1962 outlawed giving or receiving dowry and made it a punishable offence. The imprisonment would be for a term which shall not be less than five years and a fine.

Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 provides for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers and for the prevention of discrimination grounds of sex, against women in the mater of employment and for maters connected with or incidental thereof.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 1979 CEDAW is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. CEDAW is a practical blueprint for each country to achieve progress for women and girls. CEDAW strengthens the United States as a global leader in standing up for women and girls. In countries that have ratified CEDAW, women have partnered with their governments to improve the status of women and girls, and as a result have changed laws and policies to create greater safety and opportunity for women and their families.

The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 An Act to prohibit indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications,writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner and for the maters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The National Commission for Women Act, 1990 The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known as the National Commission for Women to exercise the powers conferred on and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act. Functions of NCW: Investigate and examine all matiers relating to the safeguards provided for women under the Constitution and other laws . Look into complaints and take suomoto notice of the matiers relating to deprivation of women’s rights, non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection to women, and also to achieve the objective of equality and development .

The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 This Act is intended to provide for the regulation of the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for the purpose of detecting genetic or metabolic disorders and others. According to this Act, the pre-natal diagnostic test cannot be conducted without the consent of the pregnant woman. It also prohibits the communication of the sex of the foetus.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 Domestic violence is defined in this Act as any conduct of the respondent if he brutally assaults or makes the life of the aggrieved person miserable by cruelty of conduct. It is also domestic violence if the aggrieved person is forced to lead an immoral life. Injuring or harming the aggrieved person is also domestic violence. If the pursuit of course of conduct of the respondent was reasonable to his own protection, it does not amount to domestic violence.

The Prohibition of Child Marriages Act (as amended up to 2006) The child is defined in the Act as a person who, if a male, has not completed 21 years of age, and if a female, has not completed 18 years of age. Child marriage is a marriage, in which either of the contracting parties, is a child. Punishment for conducting, performing or abeting child marriages extends to two years rigorous imprisonment and also a fine, which extends to one lakh rupees, or both.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, 2009 The Act is formulated in order to prevent sexual harassment and protect the rights of victims. Excluding sexual assault crimes, the so- called sexual harassment component in the Act refers to the sexual statements or sexual behaviour violating another person’s wishes.

Right to Maintenance This provision is to provide a summary remedy to prevent dependents from destitution and to serve a social purpose. The following are entitled to the Right to Maintenance: Wife, if she is unable to maintain herself Legitimate or illegitimate minor child, whether married or not, who is unable to maintain himself or herself Father or mother who is unable to maintain himself or herself

Consequences of Violence Against Women Physical Psychological Economical & Social For the survivors, these are interconnected.

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