Legal Developments

This section deals with the Legal Developments in the area of women's rights :

Legislation

Laws relating to women can broadly be classified under the following categories:

Crimes Against Women

Gender specific crimes identified under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 .

Specific legislations on gender based issues

•  Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961)

•  Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006

•  Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

•  Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Rules 2006

•  Commission of Sati Prevention Act, 1987 (3 of 1988)

•  Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986

•  Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956

•  Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Technique Act, 1994

•  The Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Rules, 1996

•  Medical Termination of Pregnancies Act, 1971

(Amended by The Delegated Legislation Provisions (Amendment) Act, 2004 (4 of 2005))

•  The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003

•  The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Regulations, 2003

•  Supreme Court guidelines on the prevention of sexual harassment

at the workplace. (1997)

•  Sexual Harassment Bill proposed by LCWRI

•  Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

•  Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

•  National Commission for Women's Act, 1990

•  73 rd and 74 th Amendments to the Constitution on reservations for women in Panchayats.

Other laws impacting on women's rights

•  Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970

•  Minimum Wages Act 1948, Factories Act 1948

•  Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923

•  Code of Criminal Procedure (1973),

•  Code of Civil Procedure (1908),

•  Indian Evidence Act (1872).

•  Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

•  Personal laws on marriage, property rights, guardianship and custody rights, maintenance.

•  Supreme Court guidelines on the compulsory registration of marriages.