ABSTRACT:
Females have forever had a crucial role since the creation of human society and that they have always been revered as a goddess. However within the current scenario, violence and crimes against girls can be witnessed increasing in many ways round the world. This can be a matter of grave and high concern and growing of torture and crimes against women could be a shame for the whole human race. In India, everybody has the equal right to measure their life as they need and to grow, but these rights are restricted up to the constitution and legislation only. In this situation, the violence and also the increasing crimes against women is seen by everyone over the globe in some or the opposite way. It shows the tremendous and meditation of the monster dead against ladies as of late. The worldwide campaign for the destruction of violence against women could be a proof to the present reality. The speedy modification of lifestyle, social attribute and economic standards have caused imbalance within the society and the outlook towards women is vicious and women are assumed to be the weaker one associate degreed this ends up in the increasing range of crimes against women. In addition, such occurrences involve grave concern and its structure is completely basic therefore the girls of India may brook deference, honour, pride, freedom and harmony in a setting liberated from abominations, denigration and appalling violations. There are numerous legal provisions that penalize the guilty parties committing offenses against ladies. The Indian legal code however, provides provisions to ladies as a victim of diverse wrongdoings, for example, murder, burglary, robbery; so on nonetheless there are certain violations which are oppositely characterised against the women best-known as Offenses against Women.
Various statutes for protection of women against crimes are as follows-
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
- The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
- The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
- The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION and REDRESSAL) Act, 2013
- The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
- Maternity Benefit Act, 1861
- Indian Divorce Act, 1969
- Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971
- National Commission for Women Act, 1990
The Indian Penal Code, 1860:
Kidnapping can refer to a kidnapping from India or a kidnapping from a legal guardianship. According to Section 360 of the IPC, anyone who transports a person outside of India without his consent is said to kidnap that person, and anyone who transports a juvenile (16 years in the case of males and 18 years in the case of females) without his consent or the guardian’s consent is said to kidnap that person. The penalty for this is up to 7 years in prison and a fine. Kidnapping, abducting, or inducing a woman to force her marriage and coercive sexual relations are all crimes punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine under section 366 of the Indian Penal Code.
Eve Teasing: A euphemism for public sexual harassment or molestation of women by men is Eve Teasing. It is a problem among today’s kids. It is a type of sexual aggressiveness that includes sexual remarks, brushing, and catcalls, as well as groping. According to Section 509 of the IPC, anyone utters any remark, makes any sound or gesture, or shows any object with the intent of insulting the modesty of any woman is guilty.
Chain Snatching: Women’s theft is limited to chain snatching and other valuables. This is a prevalent issue in today’s culture. Women in their eighties and nineties are the most vulnerable to these atrocities. The criminals also masquerade as police officers and ask ladies to hand over their valuables for safety reasons. Sec 378 of the IPC applies to it.
Rape: Rape is a far bigger phrase that needs to be defined, and its scope is considerably greater. It is the most widespread kind of violence against women, and India’s society and system have failed to put an end to it. India is viewed by the rest of the world as a nation of rapists. The number of people has skyrocketed. Simply put, the legal system has failed. Rape of a minor girl, rape of a woman (Sec 376), rape with murder (Sec 376A), rape in families, rape by public workers (Sec 376C), gang-rape (Sec 376 D), and marital rapes are all examples of the crime (Sec 376B). The penalties for these offences range from 7 to 20 years in prison or life in prison, as well as a fine.
Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, solicitations for sexual favours, and other forms of sexual harassment are all examples of sexual harassment. It can range from minor infractions to sexual abuse or assault, as well as showing pornography to women without their choice. Any individual who commits an act of sexual harassment is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years and a fine under Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code.
Acid Attacks: Despite the fact that the selling of acids without sufficient information has been prohibited by the Indian government, acid attacks continue to be a common way for men to threaten and harm women. According to Sections 326A and 326B of the IPC, anyone who voluntarily throws acid for serious bodily harm or an attack is punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a fine.
The 1956 Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act:
The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act of 1956, which was revised in 1986, aims to combat trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls and is the primary legislation regulating prostitution and sexual activities for women and girls.
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:
Dowry is one of the immoral practises and curses known as custom. The groom and his family want dowry as a condition of marriage, and this system has deep roots in culture. The girl is presumably headed to her in-laws’ residence, where she will be expected to establish a new residence for her family as a dowry. Dowry has become a requirement in recent years, and if the demands of dowry are not met by the girl’s parents, she would be subjected to abuses, escalated crimes, burning, mental torture, and other forms of harassment by her in-laws. Even after meeting in-laws’ requests, women in married homes are subjected to such crimes. As a result, in order to safeguard women from such crimes, this statute was enacted.
The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of 1986:
It prohibits indecent representation of women. This law was passed to make it illegal to market or publish indecent representations of women in any form, including writings, paintings, and figures.
The Sati Commission (Prevention) Act of 1987:
In ancient times, the sati pratha was a voluntary custom in which the wife was burned alive in the pyre with her deceased husband. This statute was enacted in 1987 to protect widows from being burned alive, and it forbids participation in any procession, as well as the establishment of a financial trust or temple for such rituals. The promotion and honouring of the widow who committed sati is likewise prohibited.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005:
It was enacted to protect women from domestic violence. Domestic violence is any act or omission committed against a woman with the intent of physically or mentally injuring her in any of its aggravated forms. It is a law that acknowledges domestic abuse as a human rights violation and gives every woman the right to live in a household free of abuse if she so desires.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redress) Act of 2013:
It prohibits sexual harassment of women at work. Sexual harassment is defined as an act of harassment, abuse, or assault with explicit or implicit sexual connotations, such as the offering of unwelcome or inappropriate compensation in exchange for sexual favours. Workplace sexual harassment is a violation of a woman’s right to equality, life, and liberty. It fosters an insecure and hostile work environment, limiting women’s participation in the workforce and limiting their social and economic empowerment. It causes mental and psychological problems like depression and bipolar disorder.
The 2006 Child Marriage Prohibition Act:
Child marriage is a common practise in most families, in which young girls are forced to marry boys of any age group against their will, and these underage females are subjected to violence, coercive sex, and other forms of abuse in the matrimonial home, affecting their mental and physical health. This act prohibits parents from marrying their children and makes it an illegal crime punishable by law. It is also criminal to attempt to do so.
Maternity Benefit Act, 1861:
The Maternity Benefit Act was passed to protect women’s jobs and income during and after their pregnancies. This law allows for a paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, including time before and after the due date. This act mandates a 12-week maternity leave for surrogate mothers or commissioning moms, including time before and after the procedure. This act makes it illegal for a company or institution to fire a woman worker because she is pregnant, and it also makes it illegal for them to withhold any remuneration or salary. This act allows women who are physically unable to attend offices to work from home.
Indian Divorce Act, 1969:
The Indian Divorce Act was designed to regulate divorce procedures such as mutual consent divorce, nullity of marriage, judicial separation, and restitution of conjugal rights. Divorce, judicial separation, and restitution of conjugal rights are dealt with by ADJ in Family Courts, which are established to file, hear, and decide on such matters.
Equal Remuneration Act, 1976:
There is prejudice between men and women since it is widely assumed that women work less and are less productive than males. This presumption leads to salary and pay discrimination, hence this act prohibits pay discrimination and provides equal payment to men and women workers.
Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971:
The statute went into effect in 1972, and it was revised in 1975 and 2002 with various revisions. This statute intends to outlaw illicit abortions and reduce maternal mortality rates as a result of such terminations. This legislation also establishes the criteria under which anybody can choose to terminate a pregnancy medically, which is only feasible after a medical practitioner’s certification and only when it is necessary for the mother’s health.
National Commission for Women Act, 1990:
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body of the Indian government that represents women’s rights and gives a voice to their issues and concerns. It was created in January 1992. The National Commission for Women Act strives to improve women’s position and assist them in achieving economic independence.