Note: The topic is important for TISSNET.
Each day, women are subjugated, teased, tortured, assaulted, and abducted in a society where goddesses are idolised. The Indian government protects Indian women’s rights by keeping a close eye on a number of women’s issues.
“Once and for all, human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.” – Hillary Clinton
Here are certain rights that an Indian woman has in India, based on gender equality.
- Equal pay for men and women is a legal requirement.
Whenever it comes to salary, pay, or earnings, one cannot be discriminated against on the basis of gender, as per the Equal Remuneration Act’s rules. Working women have the right to be paid equally to working males.
- Women have the right to be treated with respect and decency.
Every medical examination process on the accused should be conducted by or in the attendance of another woman if the accused is a woman.
- Women have a right to be free of workplace harassment.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act allows a woman the ability to make a complaint at her workplace if she is subjected to any form of sexual harassment.
She has three months to file a written complaint with an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at a branch office under this act.
- Women have a right to be free from domestic violence.
Domestic violence (including verbal, economic, emotional, and sexual) by a husband, male live-in partner, or family is prohibited under Section 498 of the Indian Constitution.
The accused will be sentenced to a period of non-bailable imprisonment of up to three years, as well as a fine.
- Victims of sexual assault against women have the right to remain anonymous.
A woman who has been sexually attacked may record her statement alone before a district magistrate when the matter is under trial, or in the sight of a female police officer, to guarantee that her privacy is respected.
- Women have the right to free legal representation.
Women rape victims have the right under the Legal Services Authorities Act to receive free legal aid or assistance from the Legal Services Authority, which is responsible for finding a lawyer for her.
- Women have the right not to be imprisoned in the middle of the night.
A woman cannot be arrested after sunset and before daybreak unless there is an extraordinary case on the orders of a first-class magistrate.
Furthermore, the rule stipulates that a woman can only be interrogated at her home by the police in the company of a female constable and family members or acquaintances.
- Women have the right to file virtual complaints.
Women can file virtual complaints by e-mail or write a complaint and mail it to a police station from a registered postal address, according to the law.
In addition, the SHO sent a police officer to her residence to document her complaint.
If a woman is unable to physically go to a police station and submit a report, this option is available.
- Women have a right to be free from indecent representation.
It is illegal to depict a woman’s figure (her form or any aspect of her body) in any way that is indecent, disparaging, or likely to disempower, corrupt, or impair public decency or morals.
- Women have the right to be free from stalking.
If an abuser follows a woman, tries to reach her to encourage physical engagement frequently despite a clear sign of disinterest, or monitors a woman’s usage of the internet, email, or any other kind of electronic communication, he or she may face legal action under Section 354D of the IPC.
- Zero FIR is a right that women have.
The Zero FIR is a type of police report that can be submitted at any police station, regardless of where the incident occurred or what jurisdiction it falls under. The Zero FIR can then be transferred to the police station that has jurisdiction over the matter.
The Supreme Court made this decision to save the victim’s time and prevent a perpetrator from walking free.