THE NEW HORIZONS OF MATERNITY BENEFITS IN INDIA: IT’S IMPACT ON THE EMPLOYABILITY OF WOMEN WORKERS

AUTHOR – HARINI.P, STUDENT AT THE TAMIL NADU DR.AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – HARINI.P, THE NEW HORIZONS OF MATERNITY BENEFITS IN INDIA: IT’S IMPACT ON THE EMPLOYABILITY OF WOMEN WORKERS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (4) OF 2025, PG. 471-477, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

In a progressive society, it has been slowly acknowledged that women, alongside men, play a crucial role in the country’s prosperity and in improving the standard of living. There has been evidence of significant change in the status of women through their increasing participation in the labour market, although the focus on their social protection and social security remains uncertain and inadequate. The common phenomenon behind this societal mindset is the view of women as housewives, caregivers, mothers, and secondary contributors to household tasks. However, the time has arrived to transform this traditional societal view. The government of India, to promote gender neutrality, has enacted several laws that provide employment benefits such as wage advantages, improved working conditions, maternity benefits, and social security. Maternity benefits serve as facilitators that are believed to cultivate an environment that helps enhance a woman worker’s ability to balance work and family responsibilities.

KEY WORDS – Social Security, Maternity, Informal/Formal Sector, Social Safety Net, Social Justice, Welfare State.