Balancing Work and Motherhood: A Legal Study of Maternity Protection in India

Author(s)	Sampada Gautam
Country	India
Abstract	This article examines the intricate environment of maternity protection in India, encompassing its historical evolution, current legislative structure, and ongoing issues. This emphasizes the significance of the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 and its following changes, which have safeguarded the rights of working mothers. The core of the study delineates the diverse and complex issues associated with the execution of comprehensive maternity protection within the extensive informal sector, where the majority of Indian women are employed. The paper examines the "Wollstonecraft Dilemma," which pertains to the conflict between women's aspirations to enter the workforce and the necessity for maternity protection. This document evaluates essential elements of maternity protection as outlined in ILO Convention 183 and examines India's advancements regarding these stipulations.
Keywords	Maternity protection, India, labour rights, gender equality, Maternity Benefit Act, informal sector, women's employment, work-life balance, policy implementation, social security.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-26
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67636
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbmrph

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