Six legal rights every girl in India should know of

These are your birth rights by virtue of being born a woman. Period.

You'd be surprised to know about how much these rights can empower you. Photo: Shutterstock

In the daily humdrum of events, we often forget about the key privileges we enjoy in this country. It is a gentle reminder not just for you to feel empowered, but for all the misogynist, eve teasers, sexist, mental and physical assaulter to back off.

Knowledge is power is no mean phrase. You don't have to go through legal tomes to know about your basic rights. Here is empowering you about your rights to let you voice any concern in the manner it's due.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act
This is one of the most powerful law that protects you against major odds legally. Any explicit sexual overtures or forcible physical contact and advances (read rape) are defined as a criminal offence under the law. Sexually coloured remarks, forcibly trying to show you pornographic content, asking for sexual favours, stalking are all offences for which a man can be booked under this act, and made to pay a heavy price. If troubled, you know what your legal right is for getting the perpetrator booked and punished.  

The Maternity Benefit Act
As more of you are finding their footing in the workplace, it is becoming imperative to catch a much needed break when it comes to childbirth. The Rajya Sabha has already made amendments to the Act for increasing the leave period from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, which makes it a little over 26 weeks. The revised act will be a much-needed breather for you to take on the full-time job of raising a kid, and recuperating from childbirth.

The Equal Remuneration Act
You've earned it girl. There can be no discrimination in pay on the basis of sex. You are entitled to equal salary or wages as your male counterpart for the same job. It's a different thing if you fare better at the work than him and eventually get the much deserved fat pay hike.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act
The constitution of the country protects you from any oppression you may suffer at home. When so-called family members turn against you, turn to this right to not let anybody harm you physically or mentally in the confines of four walls.

Sexual harassment at work makes you entitled to take extra leaves, till the time the case is resolved. Photo: Shutterstock

The Sexual Harrassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act)
An aggrieved woman can file a complaint against any oppressor within a span of three months to either the workplace's internally constituted committee or a local committee in the absence of former. If during this time, you feel you want a leave too, you are entitled to additional ones apart from what is the nomenclature.

The Hindu Succession Act
Who says, what's your mom and dad's will only belong to your brother. The inheritance of property, movable and immovable assets from your parents is your birth right too. It's not just the family name that you've inherited but an equal share in property.

Research source: National Commission for Women