A good 88 per cent women in Delhi-NCR are unaware of laws for protection of their rights, says a quick survey by industry chamber Assocham.

For instance, the survey found that around 50 per cent of women, irrespective of being employed or unemployed, were unaware of the most important economic right — minimum wages — and were being exploited by their employers.

About 53 per cent of the women in the region are migrants, mainly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

There are various women-specific legislations against social discrimination, violence and ensure equal wages, such as Equal Remuneration Act of 1976, Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, the marriage (Amendment) Act 2001 the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956 and 1986, Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

Releasing the survey here on Tuesday, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) called upon the Government to make special efforts to raise awareness about these laws among women.

It also suggested that job-oriented education and employment for girls was one way to change social mindset that tilted in favour of a male child.

Noting that most of the women worked in the unorganised sector due to lack of education, the chamber said offering job-oriented courses to them could help them move to the organised sector and get fixed earning to improve their standard of living to some extent.

Also, there should be mandatory teaching of women’s legal rights in schools and colleges.

The survey in Delhi-NCR covered 2,500 women, working, housewives and college-going girls.

aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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