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Human Rights Day is observed on 10th December every year across the globe. The aim is to raise awareness among people about the fundamental rights that have been accorded to them. It serves to promote the individual rights to all, irrespective of gender, race, caste, ethnicity, colour, nationality, occupation, and other similar considerations.
Right To Maintenance Maintenance refers to the basic necessities like shelter, food, education, clothes, healthcare facilities, among others. A married woman is entitled to receive maintenance from her husband, even after divorce, until she does not remarry, indulges in adultery, or is unable to substantiate the reason behind leaving her husband. The maintenance amount is decided by the court depending on the standard of living of the wife, income of the husband, and other factors. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is applicable for Hindus only. On the other hand, Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939 pertains to Muslims only.
Right To Equal Pay A female employee is eligible to receive equal compensation as her male counterpart of the same position at the workplace, according to the Equal Remuneration Act. There can also be no discrimination based on gender during recruitment and service conditions.
Right To Dignity & Decency The criminal law provides for punishment of offences committed against women such as Sexual Harassment (Section 354A), Outrage Her Modesty (Section 354), Stalking (354D), voyeurism (Section 354C), among others. In case the accused is a woman, her arrest and search will be undertaken by women police officers and her medical examination has to be done by women medical officers. In case of rape, the FIR should be registered by a women police officer. A woman can be arrested only after sunrise and before sunset, unless special permission has been taken from the magistrate by a women police officer.
Right Against Domestic Violence The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 does not only protect women from physical abuse but sexual, mental, and economic abuse as well. Daughters, wives, and live-in partners, that is, any woman inhabiting a man, is covered under the provisions of this Act. Under Section 498A of the Act, the husband or his relatives are punished with imprisonment that can extend to 3 years, along with a fine.
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