International Women's Day is celebrated across the world on 8 March every year. This day is dedicated to highlighting the demand of women for social, economic, political, and cultural equality. Celebrating this day started after 1908 when the labor movement took place in America. In this movement, about 15 thousand women took to the streets of New York and started demanding their rights. Women demanded that their working hours should be reduced and their pay scale should be increased. Besides, in this movement, there was also a demand to give women the right to vote.
Why celebrate?
The main objective of International Women's Day is to provide women the right to live with equality and rights in society. Women have equal rights as men in the law and constitution of India. However, many Indian women live a life of oppression, inequality and insecurity due to a lack of knowledge about their rights. On the occasion of International Women's Day, people are being told about the legal rights given to women, so that they too can live with respect and equality in society.
Legal rights of women in India:
Right to equality
The Indian Constitution protects equality and justice for women. Section 14(1) has provided equal rights to all citizens. According to Article 14(1) of the Indian Constitution, all citizens of India have the right to equality in social, economic, and political contexts. Every person has this right against discrimination based on different opinions, religion, caste, sex, place of birth, or any other basis.
Section 15(3)
Right to Support: Under this section, the government can provide support to different classes of women through special enforcement so that they can live as equals in the society.
Right to equal pay
Despite the talk of equality between men and women, there is a difference in the salary of men and women for the same work ranging from wages to jobs in reputed companies. Even today, in many fields, women get less wages than men. The Constitution gives women the right to equal remuneration. Under the Equal Remuneration Act, there cannot be any discrimination based on gender in salaries or wages.
Right to identity privacy
Women have some privileges in the law regarding crimes against women. In a sexual exploitation case, the victim has the right to keep her name and identity confidential. Along with this, she can lodge her complaint in the presence of a female police officer. Police, media, and officials do not have the right to reveal the identity of the woman.
Maternity benefit rights
The law gives the right to maternity-related benefits and facilities to employed women. Under the Maternity Benefit Act, a woman can take 6 months' leave after delivery and there will be no cut in her salary during this period. After delivery, a woman can return to work after completing 6 months of maternity leave.
(PC: iStock)
