Legal experts, NGOs to discuss for women's charter of rights

NEW DELHI: Legal experts and members of NGOs working for women's rights will gather here in December to discuss and evolve a charter of rights for women, defining her property entitlements and a mechanism for speedy settlement of maintenance cases arising out of marital disputes.

The Women and Child Development Ministry is holding a national-level consultation next month in which legal experts from National Legal Services Authority and non-government organisations for evolving a charter of rights for women, an official said.

"We are working out to bring a charter of rights to define women entitlements for which a national consultation has been called. It will discuss how the legitimate interests of women and girl child can be protected as there are large numbers of maintenance cases pending in the court followed by division of properties," a senior Ministry official said.

He said, common problems being faced by women, particularly in marital disputes, include denial of a rightful share in the family property, resources for their health and education and maintenance in cases of separation and higher entitlements being given to male children.

"There are a large number of maintenance cases pending in courts which go on for years and in the meantime, the woman has to support her family. So we will suggest settling those cases through courts having a legally defined framework for paying maintenance to women and other things like this," the official said.

"Considering the importance of the problems and also the sensitivities involved, it was suggested to first organise a consultation involving some reputed NGOs," he said.

The charter of rights will be followed by an awareness campaign that will be launched to make women aware about their rights especially in rural areas.

"Another basic problem is that women in rural areas may not even be aware of their rights, due to lack of literacy and empowerment. Therefore, an awareness campaign would also be required perhaps involving the District Legal Services Authorities," he said.

The official said that National Legal Service Authority has also taken up a drive to settle such cases out of court wherever it is possible. "In some states they have authorized district courts for speedy settlements," he said.