Women and Child Welfare: Laws and Schemes (Central and Andhra Pradesh)

What to remember

• The Constitution allows special laws for women and children: Article 15(3) permits special provisions for women and children, Article 21A gives free education to ages 6-14, and Article 39 asks the State to protect children from abuse.
• Know the law by its purpose: domestic violence (2005), dowry (1961), workplace harassment (2013), child sexual offences (POCSO, 2012), child marriage (2006), and child justice (2015).
• Know the helpline and the institution: Women Helpline 181, Childline 1098, One Stop Centre, National Commission for Women, and in Andhra Pradesh the Disha system and the Women Police (Mahila Police) posted at the Grama/Ward Sachivalayam.

Constitutional base

Several parts of the Constitution protect women and children.

• Article 14 and 15: equality; Article 15(3) lets the State make special laws for women and children.
• Article 21A: free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years (86th Amendment, 2002).
• Article 24: no child below 14 years to work in a factory, mine or hazardous job.
• Article 39(e) and (f): the health of workers and the tender age of children must not be abused; children get opportunities to grow in freedom and dignity.
• Article 42: just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
• Article 51A(e) and (k): duty to renounce practices that insult women; duty of parents to give education to their child.
• Article 243D and 243T: at least one-third of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities are reserved for women.

Central laws for women

Domestic Violence Act. It covers physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse. A woman can get a protection order, a residence order (right to stay in the shared home) and monetary relief. The Protection Officer is appointed by the State. It is a civil law, but breaking a protection order is a crime.

Workplace Act (POSH). An Internal Committee is set up where there are 10 or more workers. Where there are fewer than 10 workers, or the complaint is against the employer, a Local Committee at district level handles it. The presiding officer of the Internal Committee must be a senior woman employee.

Central laws for children

• POCSO Act, 2012. It protects every person below 18 years from sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. Trials are held in Special Courts, in a child-friendly way, and the child's identity must not be revealed. Reporting is a duty.
• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. A girl below 18 or a boy below 21 who is married is a child bride or groom. Such a marriage is voidable at the option of the child party. Each district has a Child Marriage Prohibition Officer.
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. It treats a child as a person below 18 years. It sets up Juvenile Justice Boards for children in conflict with law and Child Welfare Committees for children in need of care. It also provides for adoption.
• Right to Education Act, 2009. Free and compulsory education for ages 6-14. Private schools keep a seat quota for weaker sections in the entry class.
• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (amended 2016). Bans work for children below 14 and bans hazardous work for adolescents up to 18.
• Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. It created the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in 2007 and State Commissions.

Central schemes and bodies

Andhra Pradesh: institutions and schemes

• Disha system. After 2019 the State created the Disha Act (a State criminal law amendment for fast trial of crimes against women), the Disha mobile app with an SOS button, Disha police stations and special courts. The Act's legal status depends on central approval, so remember the app and police stations as the working system.
• Women Police at the Sachivalayam. Each Grama/Ward Sachivalayam has a woman police functionary, called Mahila Police, to guard women and children, prevent child marriage and trafficking, and link people with the police station.
• Self-help group movement. The rural poverty agency (SERP) and the urban agency (MEPMA) support women's groups. DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas, 1982) began group-based income work for rural women and is the root of the movement. Women's groups get bank linkage, interest support and training.
• Anganwadis and nutrition. AP runs Anganwadi centres under ICDS, and supplementary nutrition for pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children.
• State bodies. AP State Commission for Women and AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
• Cash and education support schemes for mothers and girls have been run under different names by different governments. Names, amounts and rules change, so check the latest official order before quoting a figure.

Role of the Sachivalayam staff and local bodies

• The Women Police, the Welfare and Education Assistant and the Anganwadi worker are the first points of contact for a woman or child in trouble.
• The village or ward staff can help a woman reach the One Stop Centre, call 181, or register a complaint with the Protection Officer.
• A child found working, begging or married early should be reported to Childline 1098, the Child Welfare Committee or the police.
• The Gram Panchayat and Municipality have a duty to keep the Anganwadi centre running, and to promote health, sanitation and school enrolment of girls.

Exam traps

• 1. Child at 18, not 14: POCSO and the Juvenile Justice Act use 18 years; the RTE and Article 24 use 14 years.
• 2. Domestic Violence Act is a civil law, while the Dowry Act is a criminal law.
• 3. Internal Committee vs Local Committee: 10 or more workers means Internal Committee; fewer, or a complaint against the employer, means Local Committee.
• 4. 181 vs 1098: 181 is for women, 1098 is for children.
• 5. Maternity leave: 26 weeks is for the first two children; it is a different number for the third child.
• 6. Child marriage ages: girl 18, boy 21. Do not mix with the age of majority (18).
• 7. NCW (1992) and NCPCR (2007) are different bodies with different founding years.
• 8. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched at Panipat, not at a southern city.

One-liners

• 1. Article 15(3) allows special laws for women and children.
• 2. The Dowry Prohibition Act is from 1961.
• 3. The Domestic Violence Act is from 2005.
• 4. The workplace sexual harassment law is from 2013.
• 5. POCSO means Protection of Children from Sexual Offences.
• 6. ICDS began in 1975 and works through Anganwadi centres.
• 7. The National Commission for Women was set up in 1992.
• 8. Childline number is 1098.
• 9. The women helpline number is 181.
• 10. Sukanya Samriddhi is a savings scheme for the girl child.
• 11. The Disha app has an SOS button for women in danger.
• 12. Mahila Police work at the Grama and Ward Sachivalayam.

Practice questions

1. Which Article of the Constitution allows the State to make special provisions for women and children?

   1. Article 16(2)
   2. Article 15(3)
   3. Article 19(1)
   4. Article 14
   Answer

   B. Article 15(3)

   Article 15(3) is the special-provision clause for women and children.

2. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was passed in which year?

   1. 1994
   2. 2005
   3. 2013
   4. 1961
   Answer

   B. 2005

   The Domestic Violence Act is from 2005.

3. The Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted in which year?

   1. 1956
   2. 1976
   3. 1961
   4. 2005
   Answer

   C. 1961

   The Dowry Prohibition Act dates from 1961.

4. What does POCSO protect against?

   1. Trafficking of adults
   2. Child marriage
   3. Child labour in mines
   4. Sexual offences against children
   Answer

   D. Sexual offences against children

   POCSO means Protection of Children from Sexual Offences.

5. Under POCSO, a child is a person below the age of

   1. 14 years
   2. 18 years
   3. 21 years
   4. 16 years
   Answer

   B. 18 years

   POCSO treats every person below 18 as a child.

6. Free and compulsory education for ages 6 to 14 is a fundamental right under

   1. Article 21A
   2. Article 51A
   3. Article 45
   4. Article 24
   Answer

   A. Article 21A

   Article 21A was added by the 86th Amendment.

7. The helpline number meant for women in distress is

   1. 1098
   2. 100 only for girls
   3. 108
   4. 181
   Answer

   D. 181

   181 is the Women Helpline; 1098 is Childline.

8. The emergency phone service for children in need is

   1. 181
   2. 1091 for children
   3. 1098
   4. 112 for women
   Answer

   C. 1098

   Childline runs on 1098.

9. The ICDS scheme began in which year?

   1. 2005
   2. 1985
   3. 1975
   4. 1952
   Answer

   C. 1975

   ICDS started on 2 October 1975.

10. Through which centres does ICDS deliver its services?

    1. Mandal offices
    2. Primary health labs
    3. Fair price shops
    4. Anganwadi centres
    Answer

    D. Anganwadi centres

    Anganwadis give nutrition, pre-school education and health services.

11. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme was launched at

    1. Mumbai
    2. Panipat
    3. Hyderabad
    4. Chennai
    Answer

    B. Panipat

    It was launched at Panipat in 2015.

12. The National Commission for Women was set up in

    1. 1992
    2. 1950
    3. 1975
    4. 2007
    Answer

    A. 1992

    The NCW is a statutory body of 1992.

13. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights was set up in

    1. 2007
    2. 1999
    3. 2013
    4. 1992
    Answer

    A. 2007

    NCPCR was set up in 2007 under the 2005 Act.

14. Under the Maternity Benefit Act as amended in 2017, paid maternity leave for the first two children is

    1. 20 weeks
    2. 16 weeks
    3. 26 weeks
    4. 12 weeks
    Answer

    C. 26 weeks

    The 2017 amendment raised leave from 12 to 26 weeks.

15. The minimum legal age of marriage for a boy under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act is

    1. 25 years
    2. 21 years
    3. 19 years
    4. 18 years
    Answer

    B. 21 years

    Girls 18 and boys 21.

16. A workplace Internal Committee under the 2013 harassment law is required where there are

    1. 10 or more employees
    2. 5 or more employees
    3. 50 or more employees
    4. Only government offices
    Answer

    A. 10 or more employees

    Offices with 10 or more workers need an Internal Committee.

17. Who helps a woman to get relief under the Domestic Violence Act?

    1. Returning Officer
    2. Excise Inspector
    3. Village Revenue Officer
    4. Protection Officer
    Answer

    D. Protection Officer

    The Protection Officer is appointed by the State under the Act.

18. Mahila Police in Andhra Pradesh are posted at the

    1. High Court
    2. District treasury
    3. Zilla Parishad office
    4. Grama and Ward Sachivalayam
    Answer

    D. Grama and Ward Sachivalayam

    Each Sachivalayam has a women police functionary.

19. The mobile app in Andhra Pradesh that gives an SOS alert for women in danger is

    1. Nirbhaya card
    2. Sakhi card
    3. Disha app
    4. Spandana app
    Answer

    C. Disha app

    Disha app has an SOS button linked to the police.

20. DWCRA stands for

    1. Development of Weaker and Child Rural Assets
    2. Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas
    3. Distribution of Welfare and Credit in Rural Areas
    4. Department of Women, Children and Rural Affairs
    Answer

    B. Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas

    DWCRA began in 1982 for group-based rural income work.

21. Which agency supports women's self-help groups in urban areas of Andhra Pradesh?

    1. MEPMA
    2. SERP
    3. CRDA
    4. ITDA
    Answer

    A. MEPMA

    MEPMA is urban; SERP is rural.

22. Which law bans sex determination before birth?

    1. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
    2. PCPNDT Act, 1994
    3. Hindu Succession Act, 1956
    4. Immoral Traffic Act, 1956
    Answer

    B. PCPNDT Act, 1994

    PCPNDT protects the girl child by banning prenatal sex determination.

23. The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 made a daughter

    1. A guardian of the family
    2. Not entitled to ancestral property
    3. An equal coparcener by birth
    4. A dependent of the father
    Answer

    C. An equal coparcener by birth

    The amendment gave daughters equal rights in joint family property.

24. A woman wants to stay in the shared home despite abuse. Which law gives her a residence order?

    1. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
    2. Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
    3. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
    4. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
    Answer

    D. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

    The 2005 Act includes residence orders.

25. A girl is to be married at 16. Which officer is meant to stop such a marriage?

    1. Child Marriage Prohibition Officer
    2. Fire Officer
    3. Sub-Registrar
    4. Block Education Officer
    Answer

    A. Child Marriage Prohibition Officer

    The 2006 Act provides for a Prohibition Officer.

26. A woman faces harassment by her employer in a firm of 6 workers. Who handles her complaint under the 2013 law?

    1. Internal Committee of the firm
    2. Local Committee at district level
    3. Labour Court only
    4. Gram Sabha
    Answer

    B. Local Committee at district level

    Where there are fewer than 10 workers or the employer is accused, the Local Committee acts.

27. A child below 18 is found in conflict with law. Which board handles the case?

    1. Lok Adalat
    2. Consumer Forum
    3. Juvenile Justice Board
    4. Child Welfare Committee
    Answer

    C. Juvenile Justice Board

    Boards handle children in conflict with law; Committees handle children in need of care.

28. Which body handles children in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015?

    1. Women Commission
    2. Gram Panchayat
    3. Juvenile Justice Board
    4. Child Welfare Committee
    Answer

    D. Child Welfare Committee

    Child Welfare Committees decide care and rehabilitation.

29. A pregnant woman gets cash support for her first living child. This is the aim of

    1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
    2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
    3. Mission Poshan
    4. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
    Answer

    D. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

    PMMVY gives maternity cash support.

30. A woman who has faced violence needs medical, legal and counselling help at one place. Which facility offers this?

    1. Fair price shop
    2. One Stop Centre
    3. Anganwadi centre
    4. ITDA office
    Answer

    B. One Stop Centre

    One Stop Centres (Sakhi) give integrated support.

31. Which scheme encourages savings for the future of a girl child?

    1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
    2. Mission Poshan
    3. Matru Vandana Yojana
    4. Swachh Bharat
    Answer

    A. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

    Sukanya Samriddhi is a savings account for girls.

32. Which of the following is a civil law remedy rather than a purely criminal law?

    1. POCSO Act, 2012
    2. Immoral Traffic Act, 1956
    3. Domestic Violence Act, 2005
    4. Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
    Answer

    C. Domestic Violence Act, 2005

    The Domestic Violence Act gives civil orders such as protection and residence.

33. Consider the statements about the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. 1. The minimum age for a girl is 18 years. 2. The minimum age for a boy is 21 years. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both ages are correct under the 2006 Act.

34. Consider the statements about POCSO. 1. It protects persons below 18 years. 2. It allows the child's identity to be published. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Identity of the child must be protected, so statement 2 is wrong.

35. Consider the statements. 1. Article 21A gives free education from age 6 to 14. 2. Article 24 bans the employment of children below 14 years in hazardous work. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are standard constitutional provisions.

36. Consider the statements. 1. The Maternity Benefit Act (1961) was amended in 2017. 2. The amendment cut maternity leave to 12 weeks. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The amendment raised leave to 26 weeks, so statement 2 is wrong.

37. Consider the statements about ICDS. 1. It started in 1975. 2. It serves children below six years and pregnant and nursing mothers. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

38. Consider the statements. 1. The National Commission for Women is a constitutional body under Article 338. 2. It was set up in 1992. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    NCW is a statutory body, not constitutional; it was set up in 1992.

39. Consider the statements about the Sachivalayam in Andhra Pradesh. 1. A woman police functionary is posted at each Grama or Ward Sachivalayam. 2. The Sachivalayam replaces the police station. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The woman police links people with the station; she does not replace it.

40. Consider the statements. 1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aims to improve the child sex ratio. 2. It was launched in 2015. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both facts are correct.

41. Consider the statements about the workplace sexual harassment law of 2013. 1. A Local Committee is formed at district level. 2. It applies only to government offices. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The law covers private and public workplaces, so 2 is wrong.

42. Consider the statements. 1. The Dowry Prohibition Act punishes only the person who takes dowry. 2. The Dowry Prohibition Act was passed in 1961. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Both giving and taking are punishable, so 1 is wrong.

43. Match the pairs. A. NCPCR B. NCW C. ICDS D. Disha 1. 1975 2. 2007 3. 1992 4. AP women safety app

    1. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
    2. A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
    3. A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
    4. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
    Answer

    D. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

    NCPCR 2007, NCW 1992, ICDS 1975, Disha is the AP app.

44. Match the law with its theme. A. Dowry Prohibition Act B. PCPNDT Act C. RTE Act D. POCSO Act 1. Child sexual offences 2. Free education 3. Prenatal sex determination 4. Giving and taking dowry

    1. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
    2. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
    3. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
    4. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
    Answer

    D. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

    Each law matches its stated theme.

45. Which pair of age limits is correct?

    1. POCSO - below 16; RTE - 3 to 14
    2. POCSO - below 21; RTE - 6 to 16
    3. POCSO - below 14; RTE - 6 to 18
    4. POCSO - below 18; RTE - 6 to 14
    Answer

    D. POCSO - below 18; RTE - 6 to 14

    POCSO covers all under 18; RTE covers ages 6 to 14.