Women’s day
In the mid century,women were considered as a backward class,also at that time society always believed in patriarchal society.Women worked hard as,they got reward like deprivation,disrespect and insult.Now our society gives respect to the women but in some places women are neglected,tortured by our society.This article will cover the story of elimination of violence,deprivation against women.Also the women’s day celebrated for many purpose, The main purpose of celebrating Women's Day in each part of the world is different. In some places general respect and reverence for women is the main theme of the celebration, while in other places women's economic, political and social establishment is more important.
Origin of Women’s day:
To know the answer, we have to go back almost a century. International Women's Day is abbreviated as IWD. The concept of Women's Day originated from the labor movement. The day was later recognized by the United Nations and is celebrated worldwide every year. The Socialist Party of America first proposed a National Women's Day on February 28, 1909. Theresa Malkiel said that this special day should be observed to remember the textile traders. After that, with the encouragement of the Americans, the German government decided to observe a day as Women's Day. Although no date has been fixed for this yet. Then Clara Zetkin, a lawyer specializing in the second international congressional rights at Copenhagen, in Denmark, spoke about celebrating an international women's day. 17 women members present there supported him. Among them were the first three members of Parliament of Finland. The primary ceremony of this day is held in March itself. Later in 1913, March 8 was recognized as International Women's Day.
Significance of Women’s day:
International Women's Day carries immense significance as a point for gender equality and women's rights. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women worldwide. In addition, the day provides an opportunity to highlight the persistent challenges and barriers women face, including gender-based discrimination, violence and unequal access to education and employment opportunities.
How the Indian Constitution or Law or Government has helped women with the protection and upbringing of the female society?
In The Indian Constitution there are several rights of women,that will help for their protection as well as their dignity,Besides,Indian Government has passed many legislation to safeguard of women from various abuse like domestic violence,sexual harassment e.t.c.
All Indian women enjoys some right which are mentioned bellow, and these constitutional article helps to protect of women in India.
- Equality (Article 14),
- No discrimination by the State Authority (Article 15(1))
- Equality of opportunity (Article 16)
- Equal pay for equal work in every term (Article 39(d))
Some Fundamental Rights of the Constitution of India which improve the status of women are discussed bellow:
Article 14 of the Constitution of India:
According to Indian Constitution,all persons, including women, have equivalent rights and hold equal protection under the laws of Indian Constitution, It indicates that everyone must be treated equally in all situations, regardless of gender,caste,creed. The law should be applied equally to all citizens of India without regard to race or ethnicity.
- Article 15 of the Constitution of India: Article 15 provides that discrimination is prohibited for the state against any person, including women, because of their race, gender, religion, place of birth, or socioeconomic background, according to Article 15 of the Indian Constitution. It establishes that all the citizens of India are entitled to the same rights and dignity.
- Article 16 of the Constitution of India:
- Women have equal opportunity in public work, including all citizens, under Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, irrespective of their gender, colour, caste,creed and religion.
- Article 19 of the Constitution of India: According to Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, all people, including women, have the right to freedom of speech, Art 19 provides including women has right to express their opinion freely and without fear.
- Article 21 of the Constitution of India: Article 21 provides two right which are,Right to life and another is Right to personal liberty,The right specifically mentions that no person shall be deprived of life and liberty except as per the procedure established by law. This Article included are the rights to life, dignity, privacy, and other basic freedoms. Since it diminishes the self-esteem and dignity of the victims, domestic violence against women also violates Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
- Article 39(d) of the Constitution of India: Article 39(d) of the Indian Constitution provides that equally pay wages to the the female and male employee for equal work,in the work place there should not allowed the discrimination of gender. These constitutional rights helps to protect the women of our country from the backdated society who still now believe in patriarchal society. Government of our country takes some measures to help the women for there well upbrining
Government’s measures for the Women of our country:
➢ Women Helpline Scheme: To provide toll-free 24-hours telecom service to women affected by violence. To facilitate crisis and non-crisis intervention through referral to the appropriate agencies such as police/Hospitals/Ambulance services/District Legal Service Authority (DLSA)/Protection Officer (PO)/OSC. To provide information about the appropriate support services, government schemes, and programs available to the woman affected by violence, in her particular situation within the local area in which she resides or is employed.
➢ Ujjawala Scheme: To prevent the trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation. To facilitate the rescue of victims from the place of their exploitation and place them in safe custody. To provide rehabilitation services with both immediate and long-term to the victims by providing basic amenities/needs such as shelter, food, clothing, medical treatment including counseling, legal aid and guidance, and vocational training. To promote the availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women. Provision for real-time intervention as far as possible
➢ Mahila E-Haat Scheme : To facilitate entrepreneurship opportunities online for women. To educate women on various aspects of online selling and helping them establish their venture.
➢ Mahila Police Volunteers Scheme: An MPV will serve as a public-police interface in order to fight crime against women. The broad mandate of MPVs is to report incidences of violence against women such as domestic violence, child marriage, dowry harassment and violence faced by women in public spaces. The government of India has taken the safety and empowerment of women and children into serious consideration. The growing injustice towards women had to be minimised, and these schemes are the solutions to the major problems related to women in India. These schemes are introduced for the women of India,these scheme makes women educated and self reliant.
Some basic laws only meant for women,that every women of our society must know in order to be aware and use in need:
In India we can see crime against women happen in every moment,women of the India are not safe till now,whether in their home,in public place or at work place,So for that reason every women should know some basic law for their protection,so that women can protect themselves,also they have right to protect themselves,here those basic law will be discussed bellow.
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➢ The Sexual Harassment of women at workplace(prevention,prohibition and redressal)Act,2013: This law helps to women to protect themselves from sexual harassment at work place,also this act ensure their safety at work place, Sexual harassment at work also involves the use of sexually charged words, invasion of private space by a male coworker who is too near for comfort, and subtle touches and innuendos. Women can take legal action by this act.
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➢ Equal Remuneration Act,1976: This Act provide to the women equal remuneration from their work place,this law for women prohibits remunerarion discrimination,as we know art 39(d) states that equal wages for equal work like that this act also provides equal remuneration for men and women workers.
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➢ The Dowry Prohibition Act ,1961: In India dowry system is considered as an illegal act but still some bride groom’s family taking or asking for dowry,but this dowry system is prohibite d under this law for women in India. Some times bride’s family fail to meet dowry as a result the bride will be tortured,assaulted and even burned. This Dowry Prohibition Act helps to bride to protect her self from this uncivilized dowry sytem.
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➢ Domestic violence Act,2005: Domestic violence is global problem,most of women of our country faces domestic violence.This act provides protection to women from the violence also this act prevent the commison of violence and serve justice timely and enforse rigorious punishment .
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➢ Maternity benefit Act,1961: The object of this Act is to secure the dignity of motherhood for the first and second mothers,the Indian Maternity Act states that women who works she can take 6 months off, which is a paid leave.This Act give protection of pregnant women.
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➢ National Commision for Women Act,1990: This Act exteneds to whole India except Jammu and Kashmir,The National Commission for women is statutory body of the government of India. This Commision speakes about privileges of women in India and gives a voice to their issues,also this act helps to improve the status of women and worked for their economic empowerment.
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➢ Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,2006: This prohibition of Child Marriage Act came into force on 1st November 2007. According to international reserch for women,around 47% of youg girls who belong to rural side are married before legal age of 18,At present in our country’s rank 13 in the world for child marriage. This Act provides protection to the girl from child marriage.
Indian women are facing many trouble in public place,in house and at office,there is no such place where they are saved,but government of India has taken lots of measures and they provided lots of scheme for protecting the dignity of women of our country,also the government celebrated women’s day to encourage the women and assuring to protect the dignity of women of our India
Author: By Sucheta Kar
