The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few decades. They have become well educated, independent and strong. But at times, I feel that this class of women that I am talking about is very limited!! Majority of the women in India continue to face atrocities such as rape, dowry killings, forced prostitution, female infanticide and sex selective abortion, domestic violence, etc and etc. According to a global poll conducted by Thomson Reuters, India is the “Fourth dangerous country” in the world for women and the worst country among the G20 countries.

In order to prevent crime against women, the Judicial System of the country has created several laws in favor of women. But, are these laws successful in controlling the crimes against women? The answer is unanimous. No!!! And the reason is lack of awareness…awareness about your own rights!!!

In order to make sure that we get justice, we have to learn about women rights, NGOs and helpline services for women. The main purpose of this article is to educate women about the laws in favor of women. I am just going to list down few Acts this time that govern our rights. These laws are designed by the government to help women stay safe from a list of immoral acts.

And they are:

1. Dowry Prohibition Act

2. Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act

3. Protection of women from Domestic violence

4. Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act

5. Code of Criminal Procedure

6. Indian Penal Code

7. Hindu Marriage Act

8. Eve Teasing

9. Child Marriage Restraint Act

10. Guardians and Wards Act

11. Indian Succession Act

12. Minimum wages act

13. Factories Act

14. Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act

15. Hindu adoptions and Maintenance Act

16. Pre-natal Diagnostic technique

17. Hindu Succession act

18. Christian Marriage Act

19. Equal Remuneration Act

20. National Commission for Women Act

21. Bonded Labour System Act

22. Special Marriage Act

23. Muslim Personal Law Application Act

24. Inter-state migrant workmen

25. Pre-natal Diagnostic Technique

26. Hindu minority & Guardianship Act

27. Family courts Act

28. Indian Evidence Act

29. Employees State Insurance Act

30. Foreign Marriage Act

31. Indian Divorce Act

32. Contract Labour Act

33. Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act

From the next article/post onwards I will take up one Act at a time and will throw some light on how they can help us safeguard our interests. Till then just remember – “Ignorantia juris non excusat” litreally means “ignorance of law is no excuse”.

So, raise your voice against any injustice and fight for your right.