Vulnerable Sections: Women

Women constitute almost 50 % of the population of India, but they are one of the deprived sections in the society.

Article 15 (3) – Allows for positive discrimination in favour of women.
Article 23 – Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.
Article 39 (a) – The State shall ensure that men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood.
Article 39 (d) – Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
Article 51(A) (e) – Renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
Article 42 – Allows for provisions to be made by the State for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
Article 243D – Mandates not less than one- third reservation for women in panchayats at all levels. 20 states have made provision for 50% reservation for women in PRIs in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts.

Literacy: The literacy rate in the country is 74.04 per cent, 82.14% for males and 65.46% for females (2011 Census).
Sex Ratio: The sex ratio in the country has always remained unfavourable to females. It was 940 in 2011 (2011 Census).
Child Sex Ratio: As per the NFHS – 5 the child sex ratio at birth for children born in the last five years (female per 1,000 male) is 929.
Women Workforce Participation Rate: The latest Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Reports highlights an increasing trend on usual status for women of age 15 years and above in the country was 30.0%, 32.5% and 32.8% during 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021- 22 respectively.
The Maternal Mortality Ratio: Declined to 97 in 2018-20 from 103 in 2017-19 and 130 in 2014-2016 (Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2018-20).
Health: More than 50 per cent women are anaemic in most of the states. (National Family Health Survey – 5, 2019-20).
Domestic Violence: One in three (34%) married women (aged 15-49) have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their husband or partners (NCRB).

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: The Act was passed with the aim of giving insurance to the ladies at work environment.
Acid Attack: Section 326B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 deals with utilisation of corrosive substances and intentional tossing or endeavouring to toss corrosive separately.
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: This Act protects women from any act/conduct/omission/commission that harms, injures or potential to harm is to be considered as domestic violence.
Dowry deaths: Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 has stringent provisions for punishment and prevention of dowry related atrocities against women.
The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019: It makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be void and illegal. It makes declaration of talaq a cognizable offence, attracting up to three years’ imprisonment with a fine.

One Stop Centre Scheme: One Stop Centres (OSC) are intended to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is a campaign of the Government of India that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls in India.
UJJAWALA: A comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
SWADHAR Greh: A scheme for women in difficult circumstances so that they could lead their life with dignity and conviction.