Weekend Articles

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2025

by | Mar 8, 2025

Visual representation of key legal reforms and government initiatives for women’s rights in India, highlighting constitutional protections, workplace safety, economic empowerment, and recent legislative developments.

A comprehensive mind map illustrating India’s legal framework and recent initiatives for women’s empowerment on International Women’s Day 2025.

Introduction

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global movement that contributes to  gender equality and highlights the noteworthy achievements of women. As 2025 approaches, it is imperative to consider the advancements made in women’s rights, especially in the area of law. Women’s legal rights have advanced significantly in India, creating a more inclusive culture. 

The Chronology for Women’s Rights in India

Pre-Independence Era (Before 1947)
  • The 19th century saw the rise of reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who fought against practices like Sati and child marriage.
  • The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, of 1856, and the Child Marriage Restraint Act, of 1929, were landmark reforms in women’s rights.
  • Leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Kasturba Gandhi played vital roles in India’s independence movement.
Post-Independence Era (1947-2000)
  • The Indian Constitution granted equal rights to women, ensuring fundamental rights such as equality before the law and protection against discrimination (Articles 14, 15, and 16).
  • The Hindu Succession Act, 1956,   Section 14 gave daughters equal inheritance rights.
  • The Dowry Prohibition Act, of 1961, aimed to curb the social evil of dowry.
  • The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) provided 33% reservation for women in local governance.
21st Century (2000-2025)
  • Laws such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, of 2005, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, of 2013, were enacted to address gender-based violence.
  • The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, of 2017, extended maternity leave to 26 weeks. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, provided legal protection against workplace harassment.
  • The Women’s Reservation Bill, passed in 2023, ensures 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, a significant step toward gender-balanced governance.

Legal Framework for Women’s Rights in India

Despite progressive laws, challenges remain. Below are key laws empowering women in India:

1. The Constitution of India

  • Article 14: Right to Equality
  • Article 15(3): Allows the state to make special provisions for women
  • Article 39(d): Equal pay for equal work
  • Article 42: Provision for maternity relief

2. Laws Against Gender-Based Violence

  • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Provides protection and legal recourse for women facing domestic abuse.
  • Section 498A of IPC: Protects women from cruelty and harassment related to dowry.
  • The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013: Strengthened rape laws post the Nirbhaya case.

3. Laws for Economic Empowerment

  • Equal Remuneration Act, 1976: Ensures equal pay for men and women.
  • Maternity Benefit Act, 2017: Enhances maternity leave and workplace support.
  • Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Policies: Encourage women entrepreneurs.

4. Workplace Protection Laws

  • Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013: Provides a structured mechanism for complaints and redressal.

5. Property and Inheritance Rights

  • Hindu Succession Act (Amendment) 2005: Ensures daughters have equal inheritance rights in ancestral property.

6. Recent Legal Developments (2023-2025)

  • Women’s Reservation Bill (2023): Ensures increased representation in legislatures.
  • Digital Safety Laws: Strengthened laws against cyber harassment and online abuse.

Women’s Day 2025: Latest Government Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment in India 

1. Women’s Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023)

  • The 128th Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in September 2023 to provide 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
  • The implementation is expected by 2029 and linked to the next delimitation exercise.
  • This is a historic step toward increasing women’s representation in Indian politics.

2. Vishaka Guidelines Strengthened

  • The Government of India has issued stricter implementation rules for the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 to ensure companies comply with:
  • Mandatory Internal Complaints Committees (ICC)
  • Annual reporting of harassment cases
  • Stronger penalties for non-compliance

3. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao 2.0 

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, launched in 2015, has been revamped to include:

  1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education programs for girls.
  2. Digital literacy training for young women in rural areas.
  3. Financial support for higher education through new scholarships.

4. Mission Shakti 

  • Mission Shakti is a flagship umbrella scheme launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
  • It focuses on women’s safety, security, and empowerment by integrating:
  1. Sambal Sub-Scheme: Provides financial and legal aid to victims of violence.
  2. Samarthya Sub-Scheme: Focuses on skill development and economic empowerment of women.
  • The latest budget (2024-25) increased funding for One-Stop Centres (OSCs) to provide emergency support to survivors of violence.

5. Nari Shakti Puraskar 2025

  • The Government of India continues to honor exceptional women leaders, entrepreneurs, and social workers through this prestigious award.
  • In 2025, there will be a new category for women in technology and cybersecurity.

6. PM Ujjwala Yojana Phase 3 

  • The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has been extended to cover an additional 75 lakh women from below-poverty-line families with free LPG connections.
  • This aims to reduce health risks from traditional cooking fuels and improve women’s well-being.

7. Digital Safety and Cybersecurity Measures for Women 

The Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has launched:

    1. Cyber Suraksha for Women Helpline: A 24/7 helpline for women facing online harassment, cyberstalking, and deepfake threats.
    2. New AI-Based Tools: To detect and remove non-consensual deepfake videos and online abuse.

8. Women Entrepreneurship Initiatives

  • The Stand-Up India Scheme has been extended with more credit support for women entrepreneurs.
  • MUDRA Yojana has introduced higher loan limits for women-led startups.
  • Government e-Marketplace (GeM) now mandates 30% procurement from women-led MSMEs.

9. Legal Aid and Fast-Track Courts for Women

  • The Nirbhaya Fund has been expanded to set up 1,000+ Fast-Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for rape and POCSO (child abuse) cases.
  • Free legal aid centers for women have been established in district courts across the country.

10. India’s G20 Commitment to Women’s Economic Inclusion 

As part of India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the government committed to:

  1. Bridging the gender employment gap through skill-building initiatives.
  2. Investing in women-led digital startups.
  3. Strengthening laws against gender-based cyber crimes.

Conclusion

As India. honors International Women’s Day in 2025, it is important to highlight the legislative advancements made to protect women’s rights while tackling the ongoing issues. Laws, from Employment protections to Constitutional Rights, have been essential in forming a culture that is more gender-equal. True empowerment, however, results from both the successful enactment of legislation and its efficient application. 

Laws alone won’t empower women; it is also about changing mindsets, building entities, and assuring equal access to justice. India is making progress toward a more gender-equal future through ongoing legal reforms, technology initiatives, and economic policies.

 

Happy Women’s Day! 

 

SOURCE

WRITTEN BY– ISHA SHARMA

EDITED BY- NANCY SHARMA

 

 

Written By Nancy Sharma

I am Nancy Mahavir Sharma, a passionate legal writer and a judicial service aspirant who is interested in legal researching and writing. I have completed Latin Legum Magister degree. I have been writing from past few years and I am excited to share my legal thoughts and opinions here. I believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference.

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