Section 2 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--
- (a)"advertisement" includes any notice, circular, label, wrapper or other document and also includes any visible representation made by means of any light, sound, smoke or gas;
- (b)"distribution" includes distribution by way of samples whether free or otherwise;
- (c)"indecent representation of women" means the depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman, her form or body or any part thereof in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to, or denigrating, women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals;
- (d)"label" means any written, marked, stamped, printed or graphic matter, affixed to, or appearing upon, any package;
- (e)"package" includes a box, carton, tin or other container;
- (f)"prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
Summary
- Distribution includes giving away samples, whether they are distributed for free or in some other way.
- Indecent representation of women is defined as depicting a woman's figure, form, body, or any part of it in a way that is indecent, derogatory (lowering her respect), or denigrating (insulting), or in a way that is likely to corrupt public morals.
- A label is any written, marked, stamped, printed, or graphic matter that is stuck on or appears on any package, and a package includes boxes, cartons, tins, or other containers.
- The term prescribed means set by rules made under this Act.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Does a free sample of a product count as distribution under this law?
Yes, the definition of distribution explicitly includes distributing samples whether they are free or otherwise.
2. Can a smoke or gas display be considered an advertisement?
Yes, the law states that any visible representation made by means of light, sound, smoke, or gas is included in the definition of an advertisement.
3. What materials are considered packages under this section?
A package includes any box, carton, tin, or other container.
4. What exactly makes a depiction of a woman indecent under Section 2?
A depiction is indecent if it shows a woman's form or body in a way that is indecent, derogatory, denigrating, or likely to deprave, corrupt, or injure public morals.
5. What does the word prescribed mean in this Act?
It means prescribed by rules made under the provisions of this Act.
Test yourself
Q1.Which of the following is NOT explicitly listed in Section 2 as a method for making a visible advertisement representation?
Q2.How does Section 2 define distribution?
Q3.Under Section 2, what does the term package include?
Q4.What standard is used in Section 2 to determine if a depiction is an indecent representation of women?
Q5.What is a label according to Section 2?