PILS FOR WOMEN’S PROTECTION IN INDIA

PILS FOR WOMEN’S PROTECTION IN INDIA

Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have played a vital role in strengthening women's rights and ensuring their safety in India. PILs allow individuals or organizations to approach courts directly to seek justice for a larger community or social cause. In matters concerning women, courts have often used PILs to expand protections, enforce government accountability, and push for stronger legal frameworks. 

One landmark PIL was Vishaka and Others vs State of Rajasthan (1997). This case arose after the brutal gangrape of a social worker in Rajasthan. The Supreme Court laid down the famous Vishaka Guidelines, which became the basis for the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Before the creation of formal legislation, these court-framed rules filled the legal gap to safeguard women at work. 

Another significant PIL was Laxmi vs Union of India (2015), where a young acid attack survivor approached the court seeking regulation of acid sales and better compensation for victims. The Supreme Court directed the government to frame new rules, ensure stricter licensing of acid, and provide free medical treatment to survivors. 

In Delhi Domestic Working Women's Forum vs Union of India (1995), the court issued guidelines for providing legal, medical, and psychological assistance to rape survivors, recognizing the gaps in existing support systems. This PIL helped create early models for victim assistance programs. 

Many PILs also contributed to improving infrastructure, like the installation of CCTV cameras in public spaces, better street lighting, and setting up of all-women police stations, reflecting the demands for stronger safety mechanisms. 

Such PILs have influenced the framing of laws for women in India, including amendments in the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 post the Nirbhaya case, to include stricter penalties for crimes against women. These interventions have expanded the scope of laws protecting women, ensuring that state institutions are held accountable.