This monograph is guided by f

The book examines the nature of maternity entitlements of women within the context of the totality of women's

This study is a small part of a larger study undertaken by the Ta

Highlighted by sensational titles such as "The endangered sex" (Miller, 1981) or "More than 100 million women are missing" (Sen, 1992), studies have long drawn attention to the unfavourable life chances of females versus males in various parts of East and South Asia.

Legal reforms have been at the centre of the agenda for strategizing gender justice in India. This has been so, right from the time of nine-teenth century social reforms movements, through the period of nationalist struggles, down to the contemporary women's movement.

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, is a significant piece of legislation in India designed to protect the health and welfare of women during maternity.