29 Mar 2012|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Three-Day Workshop On “Gender Sensitization And Capacity Building On Women’s Legal Rights” begins at Amity University
To promote equality for women and avoid discrimination, a three-day workshop on ‘Gender Sensitization and Capacity Building on Women’s Legal Rights’ from 29 - 31 March, 2012 was inaugurated today by Chief Guest Justice Mr. Manmohan Sarin, Lokayukta, Delhi, Former Chief Justice of J & K. The workshop has been organized by Amity Law School, Centre II, in association with National Commission for Women (NCW), keeping the recent rise in discrimination and crimes against women. The workshop aims to generate awareness at the grass root level in order to overcome women discrimination and to build capacity for women’s legal rights.
Justice Mr. Manmohan Sarin, Lokayukta, Delhi, Former Chief Justice of J & K addressed the gathering with various hard-hitting facts and examples from real cases in India in order to promote gender sensitization. The first step is changing the attitude of the police personnel towards women. Often, cases brought in by women are dismissed without action or are not taken forward in order to promote males.
Justice Sarin quoted an example going back into the 1920, of one Regina Guha, who after passing her law education applied to the High Court of Calcutta in order to practice law. She was denied admission on the grounds of her being a female. Five judges denied her application, citing that females do not come under the category of being a person. The same was repeated in 1930 by the High court of Patna. The examples show the extent of discrimination the women faced, but over time many law and acts have been passed to empower women, and which has been successful to some extent as well, says Justice Sarin. Action taken towards eradicating poverty is one of the best ways to promote women empowerment. 70% of the poverty stricken population consists of females, out of which 1/4th are victims of domestic violence. Women are victim to serious problems like Dowry, Sexual harassment, at work as well as in public, eve teasing, discrimination, rape, molestation etc. the judicial temperament and effort have helped to promote capacity building on women’s legal rights.
Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President Amity Universities, averred that the issue of gender sensitization is not merely national but international. Focusing on awareness at the grass root level is most important. Army personnel and police personnel are posted all over India, especially in remote areas where they may have to take decisions on their own. They need to be unbiased and aware of a woman’s right in order to counsel them or help them.
Ms. Anita Agnihotri, IAS, Member Secretary, National Commission for Women, shared her valuable experience that she has gained by handling numerous cases over the years. Ms. Agnihotri stressed on building capacity on women’s legal rights, since several cases can be dealt by the victims if they are aware of their rights. The role of NCW is to mainly generate awareness through campaigns, counsel the victims and guide them to attain solution for their problems, and several times they also act as a mediator between the victims and the government. The difference between men and women is not merely biological but behavioral as well, which defines their attitude toward each other. Gender sensitization if implied during training sessions in police and BSF academies can help in bringing about a change in the current state of situation.
Mr. K.V. Madhushudhan, IG CRPF expressed his support on the need to end discrimination against women and extended his appreciation for NCW who are a great support for victims of social evils and harassment, among other issues. Women are confined to her home for child bearing which sadly cannot be avoided, but it is on the men to understand the role and responsibilities of a woman. Mr. Madhusudhan averred that creating awareness of women’s legal rights and gender sensitization is one of the best ways to overcome discrimantion.
Prof. J. L. Kaul, Prof. In-charge, Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, Maj. Gen K.J. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Dr. (Mrs.) Balvinder Shukla, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University were present during the occasion.
More than hundred officers from CRPF, BSF & Police Personnel, large number of students, faculty members participated in the Workshop.