The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005 is a landmark social welfare legislation enacted to provide effective protection to women who are victims of domestic violence. It recognizes domestic violence as a violation of human rights and seeks to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of women within the family. Unlike earlier laws that primarily addressed physical abuse or dowry-related violence, this Act adopts a comprehensive approach by recognizing various forms of abuse and providing immediate civil remedies. From the perspective of social work and social development, the Act strengthens women's rights, promotes gender justice, and encourages a coordinated response involving legal institutions, social workers, service providers, and community organizations. One of the major provisions of the Act is its broad definition of domestic violence. Domestic violence includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse, and economic abuse. Physical abuse covers bodily harm and assault, while sexual abuse includes any conduct of a sexual nature that violates a woman's dignity. Verbal and emotional abuse includes insults, humiliation, threats, and character assassination. Economic abuse involves deprivation of financial resources, denial of maintenance, disposal of assets, or restriction from accessing household necessities. The Act provides a wide definition of an aggrieved person. Any woman who is, or has been, in a domestic relationship with the respondent and alleges domestic violence can