A Comprehensive Study On Gender Neutrality And Criminal Laws

Aishwarya Srivastava, Research Scholar, Institute of Legal Studies, Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial University, Barabanki, UP

Prof (Dr.) Sudhir Kumar, Institute of Legal Studies, Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial University, Barabanki, UP

ABSTRACT

Laws that are gender neutral work on eliminating discrimination of any kind, including sexism, and giving people of both sexes the same rights and opportunities. Since the medieval period in Indian history, vulnerable women have been tyrannized and exploited, and as a result, particular safeguards have been provided for them by legislation. It has been suggested that the basic rights that are outlined in our Constitution, such as equality before the law and equal protection of rights, ought to be applied to the current circumstances as well. Some people hold the view that gender neutrality is an assault on women's rights advocates and goes against the ideas of feminism. Laws that are gender neutral rethink what it means for a law to be gender-specific by reframing it and expanding its scope so that it protects all people without regard to gender. Gender-specific laws are an example of this kind of legislation. This essay focuses on various gender-specific criminal laws in India, particularly those that deal with cruelty and sexual offenses, as well as the disparities that exist between these gender-centric laws and the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and dignity that our Constitution provides. Specifically, the article examines sexual offenses and cruelty laws in India.

Keywords: Gender neutral, Indian legislations, Fundamental Rights