Gender Issues and Challenges — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan

1997

This landmark judgment laid down the Vishaka Guidelines for preventing sexual harassment of women at the workplace. In the absence of specific legislation, the Supreme Court used…

Joseph Shine v. Union of India

2018

The Supreme Court unanimously struck down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized adultery, as unconstitutional. The Court held that Section 497 violated Articles…

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India

2014

This landmark judgment recognized transgender persons as the 'third gender' and affirmed their fundamental rights under the Constitution. The Supreme Court held that the right to…

Shayara Bano v. Union of India

2017

This judgment declared the practice of 'triple talaq' (talaq-e-biddat) unconstitutional. The Supreme Court, by a 3:2 majority, held that instant triple talaq violated the…