Gender

Surrogacy Bill 2019

Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019: An ambiguous approach to an apparent problem?

By Tanu Singh, Ramjas College, New Delhi.

Surrogacy, a highly controversial issue beset with many ethical, social, and legal dilemmas, has finally met its fate in the light of the new regulation Bill passed by the Indian government. On August 5, Lok Sabha passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 which was introduced by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 15th July and is still up for passage in the Upper House. (more…)

By LexQuest Foundation, ago

Medical Termination of Pregnancy: A Woman’s Body but a Woman’s Choice?

By Lakshmi Kailasan, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi.

Medical termination of pregnancy which is more commonly addressed as abortion, may be defined in medical terms as the premature exit of the products from the uterus. To explain it in simple terms, it is the removal of an unwanted foetus. Going back in time to reflect on the status of abortion, it was punishable under the Indian Penal Code thereby suggesting the complete infringement of a woman’s right to life and personal liberty guaranteed by the State under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Prior to 1972, not only did the penalizing lead to violation of the law but also resulted in unsafe abortions being conducted by untrained medical practitioners, a problem which to some extent exists even in today’s time. (more…)

By LexQuest Foundation, ago

“Period” of Change: Acknowledging the Right to Menstrual Health

By Tanya Chandra, Founder, LexQuest Foundation.

It can’t be stressed enough that menstruation is a mere biological phenomenon, so why does it bother a society so much that we need policies for menstruating women? To answer the aforementioned, one has to acknowledge the closely knit cultural and social spaces along with the psycho-social contexts in which women attain puberty and go on to menstruate for the better part of their teenage, adolescence and adult lives. (more…)

By LexQuest Foundation, ago

Brides for Sale: India’s Sorrow?

By Tanya Chandra, Founder, LexQuest Foundation.

As India’s latest Anti-Trafficking Bill awaits informed modifications and superior content editions, it’s unfortunate that a major component of human trafficking which concerns the sinister trade of women and young girls across several States of India has somehow escaped the eye of our Legislators. Bride Trafficking, a practice so tragic that under the garb of marriage, women are commodified throughout the cycle of their reproductive lives and resold several times, has yet again failed to be conducively acknowledged as a crisis that needs urgent attention from the Legislature. (more…)

By LexQuest Foundation, ago