20 Years of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence

20 Years of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act completed 20 years since its enactment on September 13, 2025. The law came into force on October 26, 2006 and remains a key framework for protecting women from violence within domestic relationships.

Before this Act, legal remedies were fragmented. Section 498A of the IPC mainly dealt with criminal cruelty, but women also needed civil remedies such as protection orders, residence rights, monetary relief and immediate household-level safety.

Aspect	Details
Broad definition	Covers physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse.
Right to residence	Protects a woman’s right to live in the shared household even if she does not own the property.
Civil remedies	Courts can issue protection orders, residence orders and monetary relief.
Victim-centred approach	Focuses on immediate protection within the domestic environment.
Legal significance	Bridges the gap between criminal punishment and civil protection.

PT Facts

Enactment: 2005.
Came into Force: 26 October 2006.
20-Year Milestone: 13 September 2025.
Type of Remedy: Primarily civil protection framework.
Important Right: Right to residence in the shared household.

Source:

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