We live in a nation where where goddesses are worshiped while women are mistreated and harassed. Though the Indian Government has made many strict rules to stop such crimes against women but having laws doesn’t suffice as many people especially women are unaware about them. So, to help women know their rights and to help them fight back, here are few legal rights that they must know
Right to Zero FIR
Under Zero FIR, any woman who has been molested or raped can file a police complaint in any police station in the city. Usually police stations do not register complaints if the crime does not occur in their jurisdiction. However, the Zero FIR rule allows for an FIR to be filed in any police station in the city.
Right to privacy
A woman who has been raped has a right to record her statement in private, in front of the magistrate without being overheard by anyone else. She also has a freedom to record her statement with a lady constable or a police officer in personal.
No Arrests At Night
A woman cannot be arrested after sunset or before sunrise unless prior permission has been taken from a magistrate. A woman can be taken into custody only in the presence of a woman officer. Also according to Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a woman has the right to be questioned at her place of residence too instead of police station.
Equal Renumeration Act, 1976
In India, we have a law in place to ensure equal pay for men and women for equal amounts of work.
Right to confidentiality
Under no circumstances can the identity of a rape victim be revealed. Neither the police nor media can make known the name of the victim in public. According to Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code the disclosure of a victim’s identity is a punishable offense. This is the reason you would never see any picture of the rape victim by the media which can go to any heights for popularity.
Married women’s right in father’s property
The married daughter have equal right in the parental property after the advent of amendment in Hindu Succession Act 1956, that came into force since 9th sept 2005.
Right to non sexual harassment
According to a guideline issued by the Supreme Court, it is mandatory for all firms, public and private, to set up these committees to resolve matters of sexual harassment. Besides this it is also necessary that the committee is headed by a woman and comprise of 50% women, as members.
