Gender Law and Policy News

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A common, invisibilized malady

October is domestic violence awareness month. Pushpa Achanta shares stories of victims of domestic violence to point out why the dilution of IPC Section 498A by the Supreme Court is a blow to the fight against domestic violence.

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MATRILINEAL TRIBES

Lessons from tribals on surviving and thriving

An ancient matrilineal tribe of northeast India has a thriving culture and an increasing population, while a similarly ancient Dravidian matrilineal tribe is in danger of vanishing. Linda Chhakchhuak reports on what the Dravidian tribe can learn from the northeastern tribe to revive its culture and population.

Culture Adivasis Human Rights

SEX WORKERS' LIVES

Where dignity is the first and most pressing need

While debates over legalisation of sex work and rehabilitation of women in the trade continue without much tangible impact, sex workers themselves carry on the fight to win legitimacy, safety and social security. Pushpa Achanta brings us some voices from the twilight zone.

Society Women

TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION

India’s “third gender” enters poll fray with new hope

In a first, the Lok Sabha Election this year has at least four candidates from the transgender community, traditionally one of the most under-represented groups in the electorate as well as political leadership. Prabhu Mallikarjunan looks at their participation this year, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.

Elections Government

GENDER JUSTICE

Rape laws have changed, but what about the judiciary?

Laws addressing sexual violence may have changed in India, but with judicial response mired in scepticism and age-old attitudes towards rape survivors, there is little hope for justice. In conversation with Pamela Philipose, noted lawyer Vrinda Grover exposes the contradictions in the legal system.

Justice Gender Violence Women

WOMEN IN POLITICS

Whose dynasty is it anyway?

If 34 per cent of current parliamentarians have family ties and all those under 30 years are hereditary MPs, the concern over women alone leveraging family connections in politics seems misplaced. As the Women's Reservation Bill awaits yet another round of consideration, Ammu Joseph wonders if women politicians can and do make a difference.

Ammu Joseph Work+Life Women Voices unheard

ONLINE ABUSE OF WOMEN

Why trolls have it so easy

Threats of rape, kidnap and stripping have become commonplace against women on the Internet. Is it because of the limits of law itself or the fact that very few women seek legal recourse in such matters? Vaishnavi Vittal explores.

Society Women

GENDER JUSTICE

Anti-rape law: Can India get it right?

As Parliament prepares to pass new anti-rape legislation on the basis of the government-promulgated ordinance, Padmalatha Ravi discusses recommendations of the seminal report by the Committee that underlines the need for law that is better conceived.

Laws

PROPERTY RIGHTS

Rightfully hers

The proposed Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill is a policy move in the right direction - to acknowledge the critical role women play in building and maintaining a household's assets, write Hema Swaminathan, Suchitra Yegnanarayan and Rahul Lahoti.

Laws

PRS LEGISLATIVE BRIEF

One-third of the lawmakers

After decades of delay and debate, are political parties finally about to enact higher representation for women in the legislatures? Kaushiki Sanyal presents a legislative brief on the proposed Constitutional Amendment.

Laws

COHABITATION VS. MARRIAGE

Living-in: Shades of grey

A Supreme Court ruling putting live-in relationships on par with marriages raises difficult questions. Will it pit one woman's right to legal protection against another's? Does it overlook bigamy? Shoma Chatterji reports.

Society

LEGISLATION

Regulating domestic work

The Domestic Worker's Bill, if passed, will be an important step toward securing the rights of a large chunk of the unorganised workforce. But as with all laws, the real test of this legislation will be in its implementation, writes Anuja Agrawal.

Labour Issues Laws

VICTIMISED AGAIN

Rapist to victim: will you marry me?

Dilution or outright waiver of punishment if a rapist offers to marry his victim is an extra-legal step, one that is not written into law anywhere. But it continues to be entertained because the internalisation of stigmatisation is wide-spread, and even the victims believe it. Shoma Chatterji reports.

Gender Violence Women