In August 2005, the ‘Hindu succession’ (Amendment) bill was passed in parliament.The Bill removes discrimination against women by giving equal rights in the parental property to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain Women, including married daughters.Women now can inherit coparcenary property.Remarriage of the widow of a ‘karta’ or any other co-parcener will not deny a daughter her right.The landmark amendment is the significant step forward in rectifying gender discrimination in property laws.
GIRL’S EDUCATION :
In September 2000, the UPA Government announced that every girl from single-child families would be eligible for free education from class VI to XII in schools affiliated to the Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) from the academic year 2005-06.This progressive measure seeks to address the bias against the girl child in India and to achieve the goal of balancing the sex ratio.The scheme is an attempt to reward ‘socially correct’ behaviour in order to transform society.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT :
In February 2006, the National Commission For Women launched an ambitious programme for empowering women in villages.The campaign was called ‘chalo gaon ki ore’.It focussed on the pressing problem of female foeticide and the missing girl child.The campaign also made a rural woman aware of HIV / AIDS, finance scheme, and sensitive them on how to take legal and police help.
COMPULSORY REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE :
On 14 February 2006, the Supreme court directed that marriages be registered compulsarily, irrespective of religion.It directed the Centre, all States and Union Territories to amend the rules suitably to this offset within 3 months.The measure is remarkably revolutionary with far-reaching consequences.It is of critical importance because 1)it prevents child marriages and marriages without the consent of both parties; 2)it would check bigamy/polygamy; 3)ensure minimum age of marriage; 4)ensure the claim of married woman to live in their matrimonial houses; 5)enable women to claim their inheritance rights and other benefits they are entitled to after the death of their husbands; and 6)deter them from deserting wives, besides preventing parents and guardians from selling their daughters and wards to any person under the garb of marriage.
