Historically, women have been undergoing socio-economic, educational and political discrimination. Therefore, the Constitutional and legal of India not only protects women from exploitation and discrimination but also promotes social equity and equality for women. State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women for neutralizing the cumulative disadvantages and discrimination faced by them. 

The official statistics show a declining sex-ratio, health status, literacy rate, work participation rate and political participation among women. While on the other hand the spread of social evils like dowry deaths, child marriage, domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, exploitation of women workers are major issues related to women in India.

Table of contents

1. Protection Granted under Constitutional Provision     The Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam (1993) 2. Protection Granted under Indian Penal Code (IPC) The Criminal Law Amendment Act (2013): The Nirbhaya Act 3. Protection Granted under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 4. Other Legal Rights for Women 5. Questions from CGPSC Mains Examinations

Protection Granted under Constitutional Provisions

The Constitution of India not only protects women from exploitation and discrimination but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women. Following are constitutional privileges which are guaranteed to women in India for their empowerment.

Fundamental Rights

Discrimination:

Article	Provisions
Article 14	Equality before law
Article 15	The State not to discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. Article 15 (3): The State to make any special provision in favour of women and children.
Article 16	Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.

Exploitation:

Article 23

Trafficking of human beings and forced labor are prohibited.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)

Opportunity:

Article	Provisions
Article 39(a)	The State to direct its policy towards securing for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood.
Article 39(d)	Equal pay for equal work for both men and women

Health and Education:

Article 9A	State to provide free legal aid  by suitable legislation.
Article 42	The State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
Article 46	The State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the.
Article 47	The State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people.

Fundamental Duties

Article 51(A) (e)

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

Panchayati Raj System (Panchayat and Municipality)

Political Empowerment:  

Article	Provisions
Article 243 D(3)	One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women.
Article 243 D(4)	Not less than one- third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level to be reserved for women.
Article 243-T(3)	One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality shall be reserved for women.
Article 243-T(4)	The offices of chairpersons in the Municipalities shall be reserved for women in such manner as the State Legislature may provide.

The Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam (1993)

1. One-tenth (1/10th) of the total number of members of the Gram Sabha shall form a quorum for a meeting of Gram Sabha out of which one-third (1/3rd) shall be women members. In Scheduled Areas, according to PESA, the quorum requirement is one-third (1/3rd). 2. Half (1/2nd) of the total number of seats of Sarpanchas, President of Janpad Panchayat and President of Zila Panchayat are reserved for women. In Scheduled Areas, according to PESA, 100 percent seats of Sarpanch are reserved for women.

Protection Granted under Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalizes certain offences derogatory to women and provides for stringent punishment with imprisonment and fine.

IPC Section	Provision
Section 228A	Punishment for disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences
Section 304B	Punishment for Homicide for Dowry, Dowry Deaths or their attempts
Section 306	Abetment to commit suicide by women
Section 307	Attempt to murder
Section 326 A, B	Punishment for acid attacks with rigorous imprisonment of 10 years to life imprisonment.
Section 354	Punishment for molestation (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) A-Sexual Harassment; B-Assault; C- Voyeurism; D- Stalking
Section 363-373	Punishment for Kidnapping and Abduction for different purposes IPC 366 B: punishment for importation of girls from abroad
Section 376	Punishment for Rape with rigorous imprisonment of 7 years to life imprisonment and with fine.
Section 498A	Punishment for cruelty by husband or his relatives
Section 509	Punishment for sexual harassment (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)

The Criminal Law Amendment Act (2013): The Nirbhaya Act

The various provisions added or amended in the Indian Penal Code after the Criminal Amendment 2013 are: 1. Zero FIR: Registration of complaint from any police station (for rape victim or relatives) 2. Time does not matter: in cases of rape or molestation, Police cannot refuse to register an FIR even if a considerable period of time has elapsed since the incident. 3. Protection of identity: Identity of a rape victim cannot be revealed. (IPC 228A) 4. Doctor’s Report is not a conclusive proof: Report of the doctor can only act as a proof. Whether the rape has occurred or not is a legal conclusion and doctor cannot decide on this. The only state that can be made by the medical officer is that there is evidence of recent sexual activity. 5. Employers must protect: It is the duty of every employer to create a Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee within the organization for redressal of such complaints.  6. Acid Attack, stalking and voyeurism also offences: Stalking (following a woman even after her disinterest) (IPC 354D), voyeurism (watching or capturing images of a woman during private acts) (IPC 354C) and Acid Attack (throwing acid on or giving it to her in some way) (IPC 326A) are serious and punishable offences.

Protection Granted under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)

The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of India lays down the laws and procedures for the investigation, prosecution, and trial of criminal offenses. Though it is not possible to remember various Sections of CrPC, some important Sections which are related to a common man should be kept in mind. Also, the chapter wise details are given here to understand the flow of the law.

Chapters	Provision	Sections
Chapter I	Priliminary	Sec 1 – 5
Chapter II	Constitution of Criminal Courts and Offices	Sec 6 – 25
Chapter III	Power of Courts	Sec 26 – 35
Chapter IV	A- Powers of Superior Officers of Police B- Aid to the Magistrates and the Police	Sec 36 Sec 37 – 40
Chapter V	Arrest of Persons	Sec 41 – 60
Chapter VI	Processes to Compel Appearance	Sec 61 – 90
Chapter VII	Processes to Compel the Production of Things	Sec 91 – 105
Chapter VIII	Security for Keeping the Peace and for Good Behaviour	Sec 106 – 124
Chapter IX	Order for Maintenance of Wives, Children and Parents	Sec 125 – 128
Chapter X	Maintenance of Public Order and Tranquility	Sec 129 – 148
Chapter XI	Preventive Action of the Police	Sec 149 – 153
Chapter XII	Information to the Police and their Powers to Investigate	Sec 154 – 176
Chapter XIII	Jurisdiction of the Criminal Courts in Inquiries and Trials	Sec 177 – 189
Chapter XIV	Conditions Requisite for Initiation of Proceedings	Sec 190 – 199
Chapter XV	Complaints to Magistrates	Sec 200 – 203
Chapter XVI	Commencement of Proceedings before Magistrates	Sec 204 – 210
Chapter XVII	The Charge	Sec 211 – 224
Chapter XVIII	Trial Before a Court of Session	Sec 225 – 237
Chapter XIX	Trial of Warrant-Cases by Magistrates	Sec 238 – 250
Chapter XX	Trial of Summons-Cases by Magistrates	Sec 251 – 259
Chapter XXI	Summary Trials	Sec 260 – 265
Chapter XXII	Attendance of Persons Confined or Detained in Prisons	Sec 266 – 271
Chapter XXIII	Evidence in Inquiries and Trials	Sec 272 – 299
Chapter XXIV	General Provisions as to Inquiries and Trials	Sec 300 – 327
Chapter XXV	Provisions as to Accused Persons of Unsound Mind	Sec 328 – 339
Chapter XXVI	Provisions as to Offences affecting the Administration of Justice	Sec 340 – 352
Chapter XXVII	The Judgment	Sec 353 – 365
Chapter XXVIII	Submission of Death Sentences for Confirmation	Sec 366 – 371
Chapter XXIX	Appeals	Sec 372 – 394
Till CHAPTER XXXVII	Many more provisions	Till Sec 484

Some important sections of the CrPC include:

CrPC Section	Provision
Section 46(4)	No arrests after sunset (arrest in exceptional circumstances with prior permission from a Judicial Magistrate)
Section 47(2)	Notice for search of place (of a woman) entered by person sought to be arrested
Section 51(2)	Search by a woman personnel only
Section 53(2)	Medical Examination by a female practitioner
Section 55	Procedure when police officer deputes subordinate to arrest without warrant (written orders from him, specifying the offence is required)
Section 129	Dispersal of Assembly by use of civil force (by Executive Magistrate or office in charge of a police station Section 130: Use of armed forces to dispersal of Assembly (by Executive Magistrate of highest rank present)
Section 132	Protection against prosecution for acts done under Section 129 and 130. (Prior sanction required from State or Central Government)
Section 145	Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace.
Section 151	Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences.
Section 154	Registration of FIR (First Information Report) by the police
Section 160	Police officer’s power to require attendance of witnesses. However, for woman it should be at a place where she resides.
Section 161	The power of the police to examine witnesses during the investigation.
Section 164	The recording of confessions and statements by a Magistrate.
Section 164A	Doctor’s Report on rape is not a conclusive proof.
Section 167	Procedure for obtaining police remand for custody of the accused.
Section 169	The release of the accused when evidence is deficient.
Section 170	The procedure for the examination of the accused by the police.
Section 173	The police report to be submitted to the Magistrate in the course of an investigation. Section 174: Police to inquire and report on suicides especially Dowry Deaths
Section 177	The jurisdiction of the court in which an offense is committed.
Section 200	Examination of complainant by a Magistrate.
Section 228	Under no circumstances can the identity of a rape victim be revealed.
Section 311	The power of the court to summon material witnesses or examine persons present in court.
Section 313	This section deals with the examination of the accused by the court.
Section 323	The power of the court to award compensation to the victim.
Section 401	The powers of the High Court and the Court of Session to transfer cases.
Section 439	The power of the High Court or the Court of Session to grant bail.
Section 509	Punishment for sexual harassment (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)

Other Legal Rights for Women

The following various legislations contain several rights and safeguards for women:

Exploitation:

Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (1956)	1. It is the premier legislation for prevention of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. 2. It prevents trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of prostitution as an organized means of living.
Mines Act (1952) and Factories Act (1948)	They prohibit the employment of women between 7 PM to 6 AM in mines and factories and provides for their safety and welfare.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012	1. It provides a robust legal framework for the protection of children (boys and girls) from any kind of sexual abuses. 2. It provides for speedy trial of offences through designated Special Courts. 3. Child Welfare Committee (CWC): has the authority to dispose of cases for the care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of children.

Violence:

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005)	1. It is a comprehensive legislation to protect women in India from all forms of domestic violence. 2. It also covers women who have been/are in a relationship with the abuser and are subjected to violence of any kind—physical, sexual, mental, verbal or emotional.
Dowry Prohibition Act (1961)	It prohibits the giving or taking of dowry at or before or any time after the marriage from women.
Child Marriage Restrain Act (1976)	It raises the age for marriage of a girl to 18 years from 15 years and that of a boy to 21 years.

Modesty:

Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (1986)	It prohibits indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications, writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (2013)	It provides protection to women from sexual harassment at all workplaces both in public and private sector, whether organized or unorganized.

Health:

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (1971)	It provides for the termination of certain pregnancies by registered medical practitioners on humanitarian and medical grounds.
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (1994)	It prohibits sex selection before or after conception and prevents the misuse of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for sex determination leading to female foeticide.
Maternity Benefit Act (1961)	It regulates the employment of women in certain establishments for certain period before and after childbirth and provides for maternity benefit and certain other benefits.

Equality:

Equal Remuneration Act (1976)	1. It provides for payment of equal remuneration to both men and women workers for same work or work of a similar nature. 2. It also prevents discrimination on the ground of sex, against women in recruitment and service conditions.
Minimum Wages Act (1948)	It does not allow discrimination between male and female workers or different minimum wages for them.

Justice and Legal Aid:

Family Courts Act (1984)	It provides for the establishment of Family Courts for speedy settlement of family disputes.
Legal Services Authorities Act (1987)	It provides for free legal services to Indian women.
National Commission for Women Act (1990)	It provided for the establishment of a National Commission for Women to study and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and legal rights and safeguards of women.

Questions from CGPSC Mains Examinations

2022 1. Discuss procedure when police officer deputed subordinates to arrest without warrant. (2 marks) प्रक्रिया बताइये जब पुलिस अधिकारी वारंट के बिना गिरफ्तार करने के लिए अपने अधीनस्थ को प्रतिनियुक्त करता है। (2 अंक) 2. Throw light on women’s and children’s rights given under the Constitution of India. (8 marks) भारतीय संविधान के अंतर्गत प्रदत्त महिलाओं एवं बच्चों के अधिकारों पर प्रकाश डालिए। (8 अंक)

2021 1. What is the provision regarding marriage under the Special Marriage Act 1954? (02 marks) विशेष विवाह अधिनियम 1954 के अंतर्गत विवाह के संबंध मे क्या प्रावधान हैं? (02 अंक) 2. Describe the constitutional provisions made in the Indian Constitution for rights of women. (15 marks) महिलाओं के अधिकारों के लिए भारतीय संविधान मे किए गए संवेधानिक प्रावधानों का वर्णन कीजिये। (15 अंक)

2020 1. Where is the complaint under Criminal Procedure Code 1973, Section 200 filed? (2 marks) दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता 1973, धारा 200 के तहत शिकायत कहाँ दर्ज की जाती है? (2 अंक) 2. Explain the Criminal Procedure Code 1973, Section 145. (4 marks) दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता 1973, धारा 145 की व्याख्या करें। (4 अंक)

2019 1. What is Section 174 of Criminal Procedure Code 1973? (2 marks) दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता 1973 की धारा 174 क्या है? (2 अंक) 2. What is Section 160 of Criminal Procedure Code 1860? Explain. (2 marks) दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता 1860 की धारा 160 क्या है? समझाना। (2 अंक) 3. What is Section 151 of Criminal Procedure Code 1973? Explain. (4 marks) दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता 1973 की धारा 151 क्या है? बताइये। (4 अंक)

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