@report {477431, title = {Harmful practices against women in India: An examination of selected legislative responses}, year = {2009}, institution = {United Nations Economic Commission for Africa}, address = {Addis Ababa, Ethiopia}, abstract = { http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/v-egms-gplahpaw.htm$\#$expert "Harmful practices against women in India: An examination of selected legislative responses" Violence against women, of which harmful practices against women is a part, has been\ acknowledged as {\textquotedblleft}one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into\ a subordinate position compared with men{\textquotedblright}\ equality rights. Women face violence due to their position of inequality; their\ vulnerability to violence being exacerbated due to their positions of dependency as well\ as prevailing patriarchal attitudes.\ The Indian Constitution guarantees women equality before the law and the equal\ protection of laws under Article 14 and prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex under\ Article 15. A unique feature of the Indian Constitution is Article 15(3), which empowers\ the State to take special measures for women and children. Despite these guarantees, the\ position of women in India remains unequal.}, url = {http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/v-egms-gplahpaw.htm$\#$expert}, author = {Asmita Basu} }