There are several laws for the protection of the rights of women in India. The legislature of the country has been very careful while enacting laws relating to women in India. The women community in our country has been protected by the laws. However, lack of implementations of such laws in time by the administration, remains to be a drawback of our country’s legal system since long.
Some of these legislations protecting the rights of the women in India which are taught in all LLB courses in West Bengal, can be enumerated as under:
- The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
This legislation prevents any kind of trafficking of women or any girl child for the purpose of prostitution, sex slavery, organ trafficking, etc. since in India, poverty is a great hindrance to its development, the problem of trafficking in women is common. Women are considered as burden by many and hence sold. Thus, they become a commodity to be used for different illegal and immoral purposes. This law makes such an act of trafficking of women a severely punishable offence
- The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
Dowry remains as an old evil in Indian societies. It is considered to be a bad custom. However, the practice of dowry in India prevails to a great extent not only in rural but in urban areas as well. Women are often subjected to torture by her in-laws to meet the demand for dowry post marriage. Hence, this law makes both taking and giving dowry for any purpose a punishable offence in India.
- The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
This legislation also taught in all LL.B courses in West Bengal. This is an Act to restrict obscene portrayal of women through advertisements or in productions, works, compositions, figures or in some other way and for issues associated therewith or accidental thereto. Any of such activity makes an individual subject for punishment in India.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
This law prohibits any person from subjecting a woman to domestic violence by her husband or in-laws. This was an offence under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code already. However, it has now been made an offence under this law separately. It is a law very important to be taught in all LL.B courses in West Bengal.
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
Woman who are working, are protected by this law. It prevents any person from subjecting a woman to any kind of sexual harassment at works place. After the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Vishakha V. State of Rajasthan, the legislature in 2013 enacted this law. It specifically defines what sexual harassment at works place is and any person found to be guilty is punishable under this law. The dignity of working women are protected by this Act which is taught in all LL.B courses in West Bengal.
