One day Legal Awareness Program on laws related to women at MSU

Be aware to
Legal Rights and Laws is important but care must be taken for not abusing them
says Lilaben Ankoliya

Government
of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. The same event was jointly organized by Faculty of
Social Work and Faculty of Law, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
Lilaben Ankolia, chairperson of Gujarat State Commission for Women, was invited
as a chief guest for the event.

Leelaben
Ankolia delivered the Presidential Speech and made the session very interactive
and informative. She explained about the constitution, objectives, functions
and role of State Commission for Women in counselling and resolving the
disputes of women. She explained the procedure adopted by SCW in resolving the
disputes without any delays and mentioned that 40000 cases have been resolved
till date.

She talked
about the constitution of Nari Adalats and further said that 270 Nari Adalats
established in the State of Gujarat have resolved almost 18000 cases. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has decided to establish to establish Nari Adalats in
all the states of India adopting the Gujarat Model.

She provided
awareness and sensitization among participants about the helpline no.1800
2331111 and 181 available for women.

She informed
that Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has made a Mobile Application for 181
wherein 58 Lakhs women have participated. 
She oriented that there are 138 schemes available for Women in the State
of Gujarat. She talked on Kavach Scheme started by the Govt. of Gujarat which
provide training for self-defense and protection of their self-respect and
dignity for students of school.

She put
focus on about establishment of NRI Cell by the Government which has
successfully resolved issues of NRI marriages like stridhan, maintenance,
divorce, custody of children and visa problems. She informed that Social
Counsellors are appointed by SCW for providing counseling to disputant parties.

Digital
Shakti Programme for Cyber Crime is also launched by SCW. She ended her Speech
by inspiring the participants with her words of wisdom and advised young girls
to be brave and self reliant to fight against any kind of injustice.

The
Awareness Programme was consisting of four sessions on various laws and aspects
protecting Women’s Rights.

The first
session was on “Women under Criminal Law” and was conducted by Dr. Namrata
Luhar, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, The Maharaja Sayajirao University
of Baroda. She talked on female foeticide, rape, cruelty against women, dowry
prohibition and domestic violence with their punishments to be awarded under
specific legislations. She also covered newer type of offences against women
like stalking, disrobing, voyeurism provided under Indian Penal Code which were
added through the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013. Dr. Luhar highlighted the
concern for respect of women which will lead to removal of all these special
laws for women.

In the same
session, P.M. Rakholia, PSI, Cyber Crime Cell, Vadodara delivered a lecture on
“Cyber Crime against Women”. She informed the participants about the various
cyber crimes like cyber stalking, defamation, hacking, morphing, obscenity and
phishing. Two different documentaries were played during the session addressing
real life examples of cyber crime victims and the remedies available to them.
Being a Cyber Crime Cell Officer, she highlighted the difficulties in collecting
evidences for digital crime. She advised the participants to use strong
password, update their software and not to entertain strangers or unsecured
websites. At the end of the session, she said “think before you click.” She
advised the gathering to call 100 or 112 in case they become victims of cyber
crimes.

The second
session was conducted by Sabiha Sindh, Advocate, Gujarat High Court who talked
on “Rights of Women under Personal Laws.” She talked on various real life cases
relating to divorce, custody and maintenance which she had handled in various
courts. She broke the myth that the working women are not eligible for
maintenance after marriage. Women of any religion can claim maintenance under
section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code and aged women can also demand
maintenance under Senior Citizens Act. She advised students to practice
patience while dealing with matrimonial matters. In the end, she also answered
the questions raised by participants like jurisdiction in case of divorce cases
and right to Property of women before and after marriage.

In third session, Prof. (Dr.) Bhavna Mehta, Dean (OSD), Faculty of Law and Head, Department of Social Work discussed on a contemporary topic relevant for the present working women culture in India – “Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace”. She deliberated on The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which she quoted as an act conceived in the womb of the most “disgraceful”, “disreputable” and “culpable” act of gender bias, gender inequality, and stereotype. She discussed the provisions of the Act in detail and gave examples of various acts that can be considered as sexual harassment. She advised the gathering to be bold and brave enough to open any incidences in the nature of sexual harassment. She also discussed other issues like hostile work environment, the preventive, prohibitory and remedial measures provided under the Act. She very strongly stated that the University has adopted a “ZERO TOLERANCE” towards acts of sexual harassment.

Prof. Adhya
Saxena, Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts discussed with the
participants about existing preventive and redressal mechanism available at The
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. She oriented the gathering with
procedure of Women Grievance Redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and
Counseling Cell of the University. She informed the participants that the
highest body is the Syndicate and the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor is the Appellate
Authority with respect to the Cell. She informed that at the Faculty level,
Dean is empowered to constitute Internal Complaint Committee where women
teaching, non-teaching and students can approach in case of sexual harassment.

Both Prof.
(Dr.) Bhavna Mehta and Prof. Adhya Saxena addressed to the questions raised by
the participants and provided information about the mechanism adopted in
resolving the cases of sexual harassment.

The fourth
session was conducted by Ashutosh Raj Pathak, Secretary, Legal Services
Authority, Vadodara District on “Grievance Redressal Mechanism established by
the Government and the role of NGOs”. He emphasized that Right of justice has
been provided by the Constitution which also included the right of complaint
against a person. Hence, it is the right of the women to file a complaint in
case of a grievance. The mechanism to redress the complaint has been given
under the procedural acts mainly Civil Procedure Code as well as the Criminal
Procedure Code. Good governance and effective implementation are key to redress
the complaints made by women. In view of the Navlakhi Rape Case, 100 Legal
Literacy Clubs have been established at various schools across Vadodara in the
last 3 months. In this club, a child can directly file a complaint to the
teacher instead of approaching the police station and it is the duty of the
Principal/Trustee of the school to keep an update of the investigation in this
relation conducted by the Police.

Ashutosh Raj
Pathak answered many queries of students in relation to reforms in police
policies and delay in awarding justice to women. In the Concluding Session, Dr.
Jessica Sharma read the proceedings of the Programme. In the end, Dr. Archana
Gadekar, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, The Maharaja Sayajirao University
of Baroda proposed the vote of thanks. Feedback was collected from all the
participants of the programme. The Programme ended with National Anthem.