Women’s Rights and Legal Reforms: A Study of Gender Justice in Contemporary India

Abstract

The struggle for gender equality has been an important part of India's constitutional and legal history, mirroring the conflict between long-standing patriarchy and the ideal of legal equality. Focusing on the ways in which constitutional protections, legislative initiatives, and judicial interventions have influenced discussions of gender justice, this article traces the history of women's rights and legal reforms in modern India. The study examines major reforms in areas like as protection against domestic violence, sexual harassment at work, reproductive rights, and property rights, drawing on important articles such as Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. It stresses the importance of legislation like the Hindu Succession Act, 2005, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 in empowering women and removing institutionalized discrimination. Simultaneously, there are long-standing obstacles to real gender equality, such as a lack of understanding and ingrained cultural norms and practices. The impact of international human rights treaties like CEDAW on Indian law is highlighted by the country's changes when viewed through a comparative global lens.