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Bill to remove leprosy as ground for divorce
Why is it in the news ?
- The Lok Sabha passed a Bill seeking to remove leprosy as ground for divorce stating that this was a “discriminatory” provision for a disease that is now curable.
More in the news
- The bill seeks to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce in five personal laws:1. Hindu Marriage Act.2. Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act.3. Divorce Act (for Christians).4. Special Marriage Act.5. The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act.
- Each of these Acts prescribe leprosy as a ground for seeking divorce or separation from the spouse.
- The Bill cleared on Monday removes this as a ground for divorce or separation.
- The Human Rights Commission and judgements of various courts had also underlined the need to amend the laws to remove this discrimination.
Leprosy in India
- Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae.
- It affects the skin, the peripheral nerves and the upper part of the airway, or the testes.
- It is transmitted by prolonged contact, usually through aerosols containing the nasal secretions, or droplets from these fluids.
- India was officially declared to have eliminated leprosy in 2005 when new cases fell to less than 1 per 10,000.
- However, India still accounts for the largest number of leprosy affected people in the world (Around 58%).
- Lack of awareness, myths, socio-cultural beliefs, and the stigma attached to leprosy are perhaps the most pressing problems before public health activists today.
- In India, the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is the centrally sponsored health scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- While the NLEP strategies and plans are formulated centrally, the programme is implemented by states and union territories (UTs).
- The programme is also supported by WHO, ILEP, and few other.
Source
The Hindu.