Awareness and utilization of consumer welfare services and Legislations among Urban women

The present study was conducted to know the awareness of urban women regarding consumer Protection Legislations, services rendered by consumer welfare organizations and extent of utilization of these services by women. The total sample for the study comprised 250 women consumers of Ludhiana city. The interview schedule was used for data collection. The results indicated that more than 80 per cent of respondents were ignorant about Consumer Protection Rights. Only, 9.6 per cent of respondents were aware of Consumer Protection Act (1986) and District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, whereas just, 3.2 per cent could tell about various non-government consumer protection organisations working in Ludhiana city. As regards utilization of services of consumer court for seeking redressal for the purchase related problems, women consumers were indifferent and inactive. It can thus be concluded that consumer awareness among women is quite less, hence more avenues need to be explored by consumer activists to educate the women consumers.