Centre Advices States Against Women Unfriendly Laws

At the National Conference of Chief Secretaries, the Central government urged all states to attract investments, generate employment, and support growth through "systematic deregulation" or "line-by-line reform" of laws that make it difficult for businesses to "open, run, grow, or exit".

According to a news repot in The Economic Times, the Centre wanted the state government to revisit all archaic laws that prohibit equal participation of women in work force. For instance, many states still have laws that bar women from working during the night. Key sectors needing deregulation include complex land and building zone/construction regulations, expensive electricity rates, and barriers to women's employment growth.

The government recommends zero prohibition regimes for working women similar to Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.