Women have several legal rights during a divorce, including:
• Right to Maintenance: Women can claim maintenance (alimony) from their husbands, ensuring financial support during and after the divorce.
• Right to Residence: A woman has the right to reside in the matrimonial home or seek alternative accommodation at the husband’s expense.
• Custody of Children: The court generally favors the mother in custody cases, especially for young children, unless the father proves that she is unfit.
• Streidhan: Women have the right to their streidhan, which includes gifts, jewelry, and property received before, during, and after marriage.
• Protection under Domestic Violence Act: Women can seek protection orders, residence orders, and monetary relief under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.