Equal employment opportunity with special reference to women centric laws in India

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is a major building block of the present-day democratic society, which is tasked with the aim of making sure that everyone is treated fairly regardless of their status in the working place. The idea of EEO has become quite popular in India and especially with the increased awareness on women rights and the concept of gender equality. This paper explores the law and policy structure underpinning EEO in India and majorly focuses on the women centered employment legislature especially the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961; the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. This paper evaluates the performance of these laws in making women-friendly labor force. It also gives an insight into the discrepancies in the policies and practice, social and institutional obstacles which persistently perpetuate gender inequity in employment. The results outline that proper enforcement systems, sensitization in workplaces and policy development are important to make women in India obtain actual equality in employment.