The challenges facing women and vulnerable groups in India, and the schemes designed to address them.
Key concerns include gender-based violence, workforce participation gaps (India's female labour force participation rate remains comparatively low), and unequal access to education and property rights in practice. Legal protections include the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013.
Concerns include child labour, malnutrition, and access to education. The Right to Education Act, 2009, guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14, while laws like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, provide specific legal safeguards against abuse.
India's ageing population faces challenges around healthcare access, financial security, and social isolation, especially given the decline of joint family structures. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, legally obligates children to provide maintenance for elderly parents.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, expanded the legal definition of disability, mandated greater accessibility in public infrastructure, and increased reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for persons with disabilities.
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