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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.
Rights At The Workplace Every woman employee has the right to a lady’s toilet at her workplace. Asking for sexual favours, sexually coloured remarks and whistles, singing obscene songs directed at her, touching inappropriately, showing pornography are all interpreted as sexual harassment, punishable by imprisonment ranging between 1 to 3 years.
Right Against Dowry Offering and receiving dowry by a bride or bridegroom or by their parents before, during or after a marriage, paid directly or indirectly, is penalised by Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Dowry can be in the form of cash or kind. It does not include mahr or dower in the case of people for whom the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) applies. People found guilty under this Act is punishable with a minimum imprisonment of 5 years and a minimum fine of Rs 15,000.
Right To Free Legal Aid If you are considered to be an aggrieved woman under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, irrespective of whether you can afford legal assistance or not, you can claim free legal aid. Legal services pertain to assisting in the conduct of any case or other legal proceedings before the Court or tribunal or authority.
Right Of Private Defense / Self-Defense The right to self-defense empowers a woman to cause grievous hurt or even death to protect herself from harm or someone else’s body from the assailant. However, this will not be considered a punishable offence only in circumstances where a woman feels like the assailant may cause death or grievous hurt, kidnap or abduct, or rape.
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