Statutory Rights of Women
THE DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT, 1961
Act No 28 of 1961 passed on 20th May, 1961
The act was amended twice - in the year 1984 and 1986
An Act to prohibit the giving or taking of dowry.
Sections from the Act • Section 1: Short title, extent and commencement • Section 2: Definition of "dowry" • Section 3: Penalty for giving or taking dowry o Presents given at the time of marriage of bride without any demand having been made in this behalf and entered in a list made at the time of marriage, does not attract provisions of Section 3. But, property is demanded, it would fall within the term of dowry. o Has penal provisions of imprisonment up to 5 years and fine of Rs. 15,000 or the amount of dowry, which ever is more... • Section 4: Penalty for demanding dowry o Mere demand for dowry is an offense. Punishment could be from 6 months and extended to 2 years. Fine can be up to 10,000 rupees. • Section 5: Agreement for giving or taking dowry to be void • Section 6: Dowry to be for the benefit of the wife or her heirs • Section 7: Cognizance of offences • Section 8: Offences to be non-cognizable, bailable and non-compoundable • Section 9: Power to make rules
MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961
Important Provisions of Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
Women at the reproductive stage are exposed to special risks during pregnancy and child bearing, and mortality and maternal morbidity are factors which require special consideration. The Maternity benefit Act was passed to regulate the employment of women for certain period before and after the child birth and to provide certain maternity and other benefits.
Definitions
"wages"
Means all remuneration paid or payable in cash to a woman, if the terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled and includes -
(1) Such cash allowances (including dearness allowance and house rent allowance) as a woman is
Act No 28 of 1961 passed on 20th May, 1961
The act was amended twice - in the year 1984 and 1986
An Act to prohibit the giving or taking of dowry.
Sections from the Act • Section 1: Short title, extent and commencement • Section 2: Definition of "dowry" • Section 3: Penalty for giving or taking dowry o Presents given at the time of marriage of bride without any demand having been made in this behalf and entered in a list made at the time of marriage, does not attract provisions of Section 3. But, property is demanded, it would fall within the term of dowry. o Has penal provisions of imprisonment up to 5 years and fine of Rs. 15,000 or the amount of dowry, which ever is more... • Section 4: Penalty for demanding dowry o Mere demand for dowry is an offense. Punishment could be from 6 months and extended to 2 years. Fine can be up to 10,000 rupees. • Section 5: Agreement for giving or taking dowry to be void • Section 6: Dowry to be for the benefit of the wife or her heirs • Section 7: Cognizance of offences • Section 8: Offences to be non-cognizable, bailable and non-compoundable • Section 9: Power to make rules
MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961
Important Provisions of Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
Women at the reproductive stage are exposed to special risks during pregnancy and child bearing, and mortality and maternal morbidity are factors which require special consideration. The Maternity benefit Act was passed to regulate the employment of women for certain period before and after the child birth and to provide certain maternity and other benefits.
Definitions
"wages"
Means all remuneration paid or payable in cash to a woman, if the terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled and includes -
(1) Such cash allowances (including dearness allowance and house rent allowance) as a woman is