KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: 7 LAWS THAT PROTECT WOMEN AND THEIR RIGHTS

Barr Margaret Akpa

Knowledge is power. As a parent, wife, daughter, employee and a woman these are rights set in place to protect you and it’s important that you are aware of these.

Your safety is in your hands sounds like a Cliched adage to repeat. Given the number of crimes that are committed against women,it is recommended that women are aware of the laws that are in place to protect them.

LAWS
Here are 7 Laws that women should know

The National Human Rights Commission Act 1995

The commission has ear marked the rights of women and other related matters .

Utimately, the struggle for women’s human rights must be about making women’s lives better everywhere all the time.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,2006

According to the international research center for women, almost 47percent of girls are married before the age of 18.
Currently, Africa is one of the continent in the world when it comes to childThe Prohibition of child marriage Act was made effective in 2007. This act defines child marriage as a marriage where the groom or the bride are underage, that is the bride is under 18year of age or the boy is younger than 20 years.

Parents trying to marry underage girls are subject to action under this law.

Special Marriage Act,1954

The purpose of this act is to provide a special form of marriage in certain cases, provide for registration of certain marriages and, to provide for divorce. In country like India and with the diverse religions and cast,when people from different faiths and caste choose to get married they do it under the special Marriage Act.

Maternity Benefits Act,1861
This act regulates the employment of women and maternity Benefits mandated by law. It states that a woman employee who has worked in an organization for a period of at least 80days during the 12 months preceding the date of her expected delivery is entitled to receive maternity Benefits, The purpose of this act is to provide a special form of marriage in certain cases, provide for registration of certain marriages and, to provide for divorce. In country like India and with the diverse religions and cast,when people from different faiths and caste choose to get married they do it under the special Marriage Act.

Maternity Benefits Act,1861
This act regulates the employment of women and maternity Benefits mandated by law. It states that a woman employee who has worked in an organization for a period of at least 80days during the 12 months preceding the date of her expected delivery is entitled to receive maternity Benefits, which includes maternity leave, nursing breaks, medical allowance etc

Medical Termination of pregnancy Act 1971

The Act came into effect in 1972 was amended in 1975 and 2002. The aim of the Act is to reduce the occurrence of illegal abortion and consequent maternal mortality.

It further states the conditions under which a pregnancy can be ended or aborted and specifies the persons qualified to conduct same.

Sexual Harassment of women at work place ( Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.

To ensure women’s safety at work place, this Act seeks to protect them from sexual harassment at their place of work.

Sexual harrassment at work place also includes the use of language with sexual overtones invasion of private space with a male colleague hovering too close for comfort, subtle touches and innuendos.

Equal Remuneration Act,1976
This Act prevents discrimination in terms of remuneration. It provides for payment of equal recompense to men and women workers.

It is important to know these and other laws in place to protect the interests of women. Only if you are aware of your rights can you fight against any injustice meted out to you at home, at the work place,or in the Society. includes maternity leave, nursing breaks, medical allowance etc

Finally, it’s important to know these and other laws in place to protect the interests of women. Only if you are aware of your rights can you fight against any injustice meted out to you at home, at the work place,or in the Society.

About the Author
Barr Margaret Akpa is a young Legal Practitioner based in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. She is also a human rights lawyer, an Advocate for women, girls and Children’s rights.

margaretakpa77@gmail.com