ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

“Uniform Civil Code and Sustainable Development Goal 5: Advancing Gender Equality through Legal Uniformity in India”

ABSTRACT The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), envisaged under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, seeks to replace diverse personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption with a common set of secular laws applicable to all citizens. This constitutional directive has significant implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which aims to attain gender equality and empower all women and girls. Personal laws in India, rooted in religious customs and traditions, have often perpetuated gender-based discrimination, particularly in matters of matrimonial rights, succession, and guardianship. The absence of uniformity has resulted in unequal legal protections and outcomes for women across different communities. This abstract examines the UCC as a potential legal mechanism to harmonize civil rights, eliminate discriminatory practices, and ensure substantive equality before the law. By aligning civil laws with constitutional principles of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination, the UCC can contribute to the realization of SDG 5 by strengthening women’s legal autonomy and access to justice. However, the paper also acknowledges concerns related to cultural diversity, religious freedom, and social acceptance. It argues that a gender-just and inclusive approach to the UCC, developed through democratic consultation and sensitivity to pluralism, can serve as a transformative tool for advancing gender equality while respecting constitutional values and international human rights commitments. These inequalities restrict women’s autonomy and access to justice, thereby impeding the realization of SDG 5. This abstract examines the UCC as a mechanism for harmonizing civil laws with constitutional values of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination. Key words: Uniform Civil Code, gender justice, gender justice, legal reform , cultural diversity etc.