The process of women's emancipation gained momentum in independent India.
The Constitution of India accepted the principle of gender equality and guaranteed equality of status and opportunity to both men and women.
Certain constitutional provisions have been made for more effective measures in the field of women's upliftment in independent India.
Some of the major constitutional rights are as follows:
Article 15 (3) of the Constitution empowers the State Governments to set up special facilities for women and children.
This section instructs the state governments to take necessary steps to bring women into the ranks of men by raising awareness about their plight.
Article 16 (2) of the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, people, caste, sex, race and place of birth in the field of planning.
Article 39 (1) of the Constitution gives both men and women the equal right to adequate means of subsistence.
Article 39 (d) of the Constitution gives men and women the right to equal pay for equal work.
Article 42 of the Constitution provides for maternity benefits in addition to fair and humane working conditions.
Laws affecting social aspects include marriage, property, inheritance and parenting laws:
Under The Special Marriage Act of 1954, girls are free to choose their mate.
The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 prohibits polygamy. Under this law, a woman has the right to divorce subject to certain conditions.
The Dowry Prohibition Act, enacted in 1961, prohibits the practice of dowry.
Laws that touch the economic aspects are mainly laws relating to equal pay and compensation in a year.
To use the creative work force of women, the 73rd amendment to the Constitution of India has made provision for reserving 33 per cent seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions from Gram Panchayats to Municipalities and States.