The union cabinet has approved the signing of an agreement between India and the UN Women. The proposal seeks to provide technical support to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in strengthening capacities of governance institutions including Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to ensure that opportunities created for women through legislation, policies and programmes are better leveraged […]

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has issued guidelines with the objective of promoting inclusivity in sanitation. Recognising the role of women in realising the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission’s Open Defecation Free villages programme, the guidelines recommend ensuring the active involvement of women, especially in leadership positions. Significantly, the guidelines recognise that […]

The Maharashtra Public Accounts Committee, in its report tabled before the Legislative Assembly, has recommended that sex-determination be made compulsory in cases of all pregnancies. This recommendation was made in view of India’s low child sex ratio, and is premised in the belief that monitoring of pregnancies will make sex-selective abortions difficult. The committee also […]

The Act prohibits discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS in (i) employment, (ii) educational establishments, (iii) health care services, (iv) residing or renting property, (v) standing for public or private office, and (vi) provision of insurance, provides for informed consent and confidentiality with regard to their treatment, places obligations on establishments to safeguard their […]

The Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 has been amended to increase the duration of maternity leave entitlement from 12 to 26 weeks. However, the Act does not allow women with more than two children to avail of more than 12 weeks of maternity leave for subsequent pregnancies, thus furthering the two child norm of the government. […]

The union cabinet has cleared the National Health Policy which puts forward a concrete framework for universal healthcare. The Policy also suggests policy directives to make drugs and diagnostic facilities available across the country. The Policy seeks to involve the private sector to make healthcare services widely available. Reducing maternal and infant mortality finds special mention in the policy. Highlighting […]

The Parliament has enacted the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 which will replace the Mental Health Act, 1987. Enacted with a view to fulfilling India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this Act takes a rights-based approach, and recognises the agency of mentally ill persons. The Act prohibits practices […]