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Quick Reference

Laws, helplines & terms

Everything a Panchayat leader needs at a glance — plain language, what you can actually do, and one-tap numbers. Works offline.

  • PWDVA

    Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act

    Enacted 2005

    Protects every woman — wife, mother, sister, daughter, partner — from physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse by anyone she lives with or is related to.

    What it covers

    • ·Physical violence (hitting, slapping, pushing)
    • ·Sexual abuse (forced sex, humiliation)
    • ·Verbal & emotional abuse (insults, threats, controlling behaviour)
    • ·Economic abuse (withholding money, food, property)

    What a Sarpanch can do

    • →Listen, believe her. Do not send her back into danger.
    • →Connect her to the block/district Protection Officer.
    • →Help file a Domestic Incident Report (DIR) — free, no lawyer needed.
    • →In immediate danger: call 112 or Women Helpline 181.
    • →Arrange safe shelter (Swadhar / Sakhi One-Stop Centre).
  • POSH

    Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act

    Enacted 2013

    Every workplace — including Panchayat Bhavans, Anganwadis, schools, fields, factories — must protect women from sexual harassment and have a way to complain safely.

    What it covers

    • ·Unwelcome touching, gestures, comments
    • ·Showing pornography or sexual material
    • ·Demands or hints for sexual favours
    • ·Any conduct that creates a hostile work environment

    What a Sarpanch can do

    • →Form a Local Committee (LC) at the block level — mandatory where there are fewer than 10 workers.
    • →Display the LC number in the Panchayat Bhavan.
    • →Receive complaints in writing — and act within 90 days.
    • →Ensure the complainant is not punished, transferred or shamed.
  • PCMA

    Prohibition of Child Marriage Act

    Enacted 2006

    Marriage of a girl below 18 or a boy below 21 is a punishable offence. Anyone who performs, attends, or allows it can be jailed up to 2 years.

    What it covers

    • ·The marriage itself can be cancelled (voidable).
    • ·Parents, priest, caterer — all can be punished.
    • ·Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO) in every district.

    What a Sarpanch can do

    • →Stop the marriage — you have the authority to intervene.
    • →Call Childline 1098 or the District Magistrate immediately.
    • →Inform the CMPO and Anganwadi worker.
    • →Ensure the girl returns to school — not to her in-laws.
  • Dowry Act

    Dowry Prohibition Act

    Enacted 1961

    Giving, taking, or even demanding dowry is a crime — punishable with at least 5 years in jail and a fine of ₹15,000 or the value of the dowry.

    What it covers

    • ·Cash, jewellery, vehicles, household goods given as a condition of marriage.
    • ·Demands made before, during, or after the wedding.
    • ·Dowry harassment leading to cruelty or death (also covered under IPC 498A and 304B).

    What a Sarpanch can do

    • →Refuse to attend or bless a marriage where dowry is demanded.
    • →Pass a Gram Sabha resolution declaring the village dowry-free.
    • →Support the woman to file an FIR — and follow up.
    • →Connect the family to legal aid (DLSA — District Legal Services Authority).
  • POCSO

    Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act

    Enacted 2012

    Any sexual act against a child (anyone below 18, girl or boy) is a serious crime. Reporting is compulsory — staying silent is also an offence.

    What it covers

    • ·Penetrative and non-penetrative sexual assault
    • ·Sexual harassment and showing pornography to children
    • ·Using children in pornography
    • ·Mandatory reporting by anyone who knows

    What a Sarpanch can do

    • →Report to Childline 1098 or the local police — within 24 hours.
    • →Ensure the child is medically examined by a female doctor.
    • →Keep the child's identity confidential — never name them publicly.
    • →Connect the family to a Special POCSO Court and free legal aid.
  • IPC sections

    Indian Penal Code — Key sections for gender justice

    Enacted 1860

    Specific sections of the IPC that a Sarpanch should recognise when a complaint reaches her.

    What it covers

    • ·§354 — Assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
    • ·§354A — Sexual harassment.
    • ·§354D — Stalking.
    • ·§375/376 — Rape.
    • ·§498A — Cruelty by husband or his relatives.
    • ·§509 — Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

    What a Sarpanch can do

    • →Ensure the FIR is registered — police cannot refuse.
    • →If refused: approach the SP, or file a Magistrate complaint under §156(3) CrPC.
    • →Support the survivor — never mediate or 'compromise' these offences.
  • 73rd Amendment

    73rd Constitutional Amendment & State Panchayati Raj Acts

    Enacted 1992

    Gives women at least 1/3rd (in many states, 1/2) reservation in Panchayats — and gives the Gram Sabha real power to decide local development.

    What it covers

    • ·Reservation of seats and chair posts for women, SC/ST.
    • ·Gram Sabha as the highest body in the village.
    • ·11 subjects under the 11th Schedule that Panchayats can act on — including health, education, women & child welfare.

    What a Sarpanch can do

    • →Hold the Gram Sabha at least 4 times a year — and ensure women attend.
    • →Convene a separate Mahila Sabha before each Gram Sabha.
    • →Pass Gender Resolutions (GRs) — and read them out publicly.