Protection from Domestic Violence
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 protects women from physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and economic abuse by a husband, partner, or any male relative in a shared household. The law covers married women, live-in partners, sisters, mothers, and daughters.
Under this law, you can get a Protection Order (restraining order against the abuser), Residence Order (right to stay in your home), Monetary Relief (maintenance and compensation), and Custody Order (custody of children). These orders can be obtained quickly — even within 24-48 hours in urgent cases.
- How to get help: Contact the Protection Officer in your district (at the District Social Welfare office), a Magistrate's court, the police, or any registered NGO
- Free legal aid: Call NALSA at 15100 — free lawyer assigned immediately
- Filing FIR: Police must register FIR for domestic violence under Section 498A IPC (cruelty by husband or in-laws)
Women Helpline: 1091 (24/7, free) · Police: 100 · Free Legal Aid: 15100
Workplace Sexual Harassment — POSH Act Rights
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 (POSH Act) protects every woman working in India — employed, contractual, temporary, or daily wage worker. It covers offices, factories, shops, hospitals, educational institutions, and even homes (domestic workers).
- What counts as harassment: Unwelcome physical contact, sexual remarks or jokes, showing pornography, demand for sexual favours, stalking, or any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature
- Internal Complaints Committee (ICC): Every workplace with 10+ employees must have an ICC. Complaint must be resolved within 90 days
- No ICC at your workplace? Complain to the Local Complaints Committee (LCC) at the District Collector's office — covers all workplaces
- Employer who fails to form ICC faces ₹50,000 fine and licence cancellation
- SHe-Box portal: File online complaint at shebox.wcd.gov.in — for both government and private sector employees
✅ All proceedings are confidential. Your identity is protected. Your employer cannot fire you, transfer you, or take any adverse action against you for filing a complaint under POSH.
Property & Inheritance Rights
Under the Hindu Succession Act 1956 (amended 2005), daughters have equal rights to ancestral property as sons. This right exists from birth — a daughter does not lose her inheritance rights upon marriage.
- Ancestral property: Daughters have equal share in ancestral property regardless of when they were born
- Self-acquired property: If a parent dies without a will, daughters and sons have equal rights to inherit self-acquired property
- Married women: Marriage does not affect a woman's right to her parents' property. She retains full inheritance rights
- Dowry is illegal: Demanding dowry is a criminal offence under the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 — punishment up to 5 years imprisonment
- Streedhan: All gifts given to a woman at marriage (jewellery, clothes, household items) are her personal property. Husband or in-laws cannot claim them
Maternity Rights — 26 Weeks Paid Leave
Under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017, women employees are entitled to 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave for the first two children (12 weeks for the third child and beyond). This applies to all establishments with 10 or more employees.
- Who is covered: All women employees including those on probation, contract, or temporary basis — if they have worked for at least 80 days in the past 12 months
- Adoption and surrogacy: 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for adoptive mothers and commissioning mothers (surrogacy)
- Work from home: Employer may offer work-from-home option after maternity leave based on nature of work
- Nursing breaks: Two nursing breaks per day until the child is 15 months old
- Cannot be dismissed: A woman cannot be legally dismissed during maternity leave
⚠️ If your employer refuses maternity leave or reduces your salary during leave, file a complaint with the Labour Commissioner immediately. This is a serious violation and employer faces up to 1 year imprisonment.
Free Legal Aid for Women
Every woman in India is entitled to free legal aid regardless of her income under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987. This means a free lawyer for court cases, free legal advice, and free mediation services.
- Call NALSA: 15100 (24/7, free) — National Legal Services Authority. They will connect you to your district Legal Services Authority
- District Legal Services Authority (DLSA): Present in every district court. Walk in and ask for free legal aid — no income proof needed for women
- Online application: Apply at nalsa.gov.in for free legal services
- One Stop Centres: Government-run centres providing integrated services to women affected by violence — shelter, medical aid, legal help, and counselling. Call 181 to find your nearest centre
Women Helpline: 1091 · One Stop Centre: 181 · Free Legal Aid (NALSA): 15100 · Child Helpline: 1098 · Police: 112
Find government schemes for women — Ujjwala Yojana, Sukanya Samriddhi, maternity benefits and more.
🔍 Find Schemes for Women →Official Source
All information is sourced from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, NALSA, and official Government of India portals.
wcd.nic.in ↗ · nalsa.gov.in ↗ · shebox.wcd.gov.in ↗
This page is for informational purposes only. MeraHaq is not affiliated with any government body. If you are in danger, please call 112 immediately.