Maternity rights integral part of identity of a woman, says HC

Orders compensation, reinstatement of a female attendant at hostel of Delhi University who was terminated from her job after she availed of maternity leave

- JAISON WILSON

UPHOLDING maternity rights as an integral part of the identity of a woman, the Delhi High Court said maternity benefits cannot be denied to a female employee merely because such employment is contractual.

In a recent order, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said, "Denial of such rights is in fact standing in the way of a woman choosing to bring life into the world, thereby violating her fundamental right to life. Such denial is indeed against the principle of social justice."