What are the measures taken to combat violence against women in India?
There are several government and non-government organizations working towards gender equality and fighting against all forms of violence against woman. Following are some of the landmark legal measures and acts pertaining to woman’s rights.
- 1829 – Abolition of Sati act
- 1856 – The Widow Remarriage Act
- 1871 – The Female Infanticide Prevention Act
- 1929 – Child Marriage Restraint Act
- 1934 – The Devdasi( Prevention) Act
- 1961 – The Prohibition of Dowry Act
- 1971 – The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act
- 1994 – PCPNDT (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act.
- 2005 – Domestic violence Act
- 2007 – Sexual harassment at workplace bill
There are several articles in the Indian Constitution which promise equal rights and liberties to each and every woman in India. There are special provisions for woman in terms of positive discrimination or affirmative action in terms of reservation of woman in local self government, educational institutions, job opportunities and public transport.
There are a number of government bodies, NGOs and civil society organizations helping women to gain justice and equality in the society. They work in the areas of research, sensitization, awareness, law making or amendment in the existing law, campaigns for empowerment of woman. There is a special ministry for women and child welfare at the center and state to look into the policies and programmes for woman in the nation. The National Commission for Woman (NCW) is the statutory body of Government of India at the central level that looks in to the matters pertaining to gender justice.