Women safety has been given great importance from the very beginning and many laws have been enacted to protect women’s right. Women safety is not merely a social issue but also a legal one. As I am teaching at Biyani Law College where I feel that every individual has a responsibility to protect women from harassment, discrimination, and violence. Then only women will truly feel safe and secure not only at work place but everywhere. Legal awareness programmes educate people about their rights and help them to create a safer environment.
Constitutional Rights of Women
The Constitution is a Supreme law of India. Constitution of India guarantees equal right and protection to every citizen, regardless if gender. The Constitution provides equal rights to both men and women and prohibits discrimination irrespective of gender, religion, caste, or background and promotes equal treatment before the law. Every individual has a right to live with dignity, freedom and personal liberty which are protected under constitution. These constitutional principles provide a strong legal framework for safeguarding women’s rights and ensure their safety, equality and empowerment in society.
Sexual Harassment at Workplace
During their academics journey college students often participate in internships, some students also take up part time jobs for their financial stability, and attend training programme. They should be aware that sexual harassment is prohibited at every workplace by law and every intern, trainee, part-time and full-time employee has a right to work in a safe and harassment free environment. Sexual Harassment according to law include unwelcome physical contact, sexual coloured remarks, repeated request for sexual favours, showing obscene material and unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature.
Women have a right to report incidents of sexual harassment without fear or hesitation. Employers are responsible for providing safe and secure working environment. Every organization is required to establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to receive complaints of sexual harassment and conduct investigation.
Protection against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Indian Criminal Law provides strict punishments for various form of Sexual Assault. Consent play a very important role in determining whether that act is lawful and not. Consent must be voluntarily free, informed and lawful. Every victim of sexual assault has a right to receive of medical assistance, privacy, fair investigation and respectful treatment throughout the legal process.
Domestic Violence is also a criminal offence. It is not limited to physical abuse but it also includes emotional, mental, verbal and other forms of abuse. The law provides punishments for offenders as well as legal remedies for protection of victims from domestic violence. Every student should be aware that sexual assault and domestic violence are unacceptable in any form and are punishable criminal offence under the law.
Social Media and Cyber Safety
With the rapid growth of social media and the increasing growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) incidents of online harassment have also increased. Acts such as editing someone’s photo without permission, sharing private photos without consent, sending private messages, and cyber stalking are punishable offences under the law. Students and every individual should be aware of their legal rights and take necessary steps to protect their personal information online. They should also report any form of cyber abuse or online harassment immediately to the appropriate authorities, as such acts are unacceptable and punishable offence by law.
Dowry and Child marriage
Dowry is punishable offence. Despite being prohibited by law, the practice of dowry still continue in many families. Similarly Child Marriage is also a punishable offence, yet it continue to exists in several part of country. Child marriage has a serious negative impact on a child’s education, health and future opportunities. Every student should be aware that both dowry and child marriage are criminal offence under the law. If anyone become aware of a dowry related offence or a child marriage hey should immediately report it to the appropriate authorities so that legal action can be taken.
Students and Each person should know these Law
Many Victims remain silent and continue to suffer because they are unaware of their rights. My main concern to my students at Biyani Law College that every student and in fact every individual, should have basic legal knowledge so that they can protect their own right as well as the rights of others. Through legal education, people become aware of their rights such as right to report a crime, seek legal assistance and stand against in justice. They also understand what acts are punishable offence and what remedies are available under the law.
Students should set healthy personal boundaries to protect themselves from negative influence and inappropriate behaviour. They have to be aware of their rights and never be remain silent against harassment and any kind of illegal act so that they can confidently stand up for themselves and others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why women safetrs laws legal awareness is important for Students?
Ans. It helps student to aware of there rights and responsibility and it also help them to protect their rights and take legal action of unlawful act whenever it require.
Q2. What can a person do when they face any form of harassment?
Ans. A person can report about the incident to an appropriate authority within time so that they can take action without delay. Reporting a complain of harassment not only provide justice but its also prevent similar incidents with any other person.
Q3. Are practicing Chils Marriage and Dowry still punishable under law?
Ans. Yes, child marriage and dowry is punishable offence under criminal law. Anyone receive information about such practice should file a report to the concerned authority.
Conclusion
Various laws have been enacted to protect the safety, dignity, and rights of women. However, law itself is not responsible for ensuring women’s safety but students and every single individual should be aware of these laws and follow them to create a safe and respectable society. Along with academic learning, should participate in legal awareness programmes and workshop and this should be organise by college which help students to gain practical knowledge about their rights, responsibilities and legal protection available to them.
Author
Dr. Madhuri Sharma
Assistant Professor, department of Law
Biyani Law College,Jaipur