The Constitution of India not only grants equality to women but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women for neutralizing the cumulative socio economic, education and political disadvantages faced by them.

The rights and safeguards enshrined in the constitution for women are as follows:

1 . The state shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of sex (Article 15(1)).

2 . The state is empowered to make any special provision for women. In other words, this provision enables the state to make affirmative discrimination in favour of women (Article 15(3)).

3 . No citizen shall be discriminated against or be ineligible for any employment or office under the state on the ground of sex (Article 16(2)).

4 . Traffic in human beings and forced labour are prohibited (Article 23(1)).

5 . The state to secure for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood (Article 39(a)).

6 . The state to secure equal pay for equal work for both men and women (Article 39(d)).

7 . The state is required to ensure that the health and strength of women workers are not abused and that they are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their strength (Article 39(e)).

8 . The state shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and maternity
relief (Article 42).

9 . It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of
women (Article 51-A(e)).

10 . One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women (Article 243-D(3)).

11 . One-third of the total number of offices of chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level shall
be reserved for women (Article 243-D(4)).

12 . One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality shall be reserved for women (Article 243-T(3)).

13 . The offices of chairpersons in the Municipalities shall be reserved for women in such manner as the State Legislature may provide (Article 243-T(4)).