Interactive Session on Women’s Rights and Legal Protection Organized at University of Jammu

Jammu, March 16: The P.G. Department of Home Science (Human Development), University of Jammu, organized an interactive awareness session on “Women’s Rights and Legal Protection: Awareness, Prevention and Justice”. The programme was attended by students, research scholars and faculty members of the department.

The session featured Advocate Uma Kapahi, Legal Expert at the High Court of J&K, as the resource person. In her address, she provided valuable insights into important legal safeguards available for the protection of women. She elaborated on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), highlighting the need to create safe and respectful work and academic environments and explaining the mechanisms available for redressal of complaints. She also discussed the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, outlining the legal remedies available to women facing different forms of domestic abuse.

Advocate Kapahi further emphasized the significant role of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in providing free legal aid and support to individuals who may not have access to legal resources. She also touched upon menstrual hygiene as a matter linked to dignity and fundamental rights, stressing the importance of awareness, access to resources and the need to break the social stigma surrounding menstruation.

Earlier, Head of the Department, Prof. Sarika Manhas, in her welcome address emphasized that legal awareness is an essential component of true empowerment. She highlighted that the department is committed to the holistic development of its students by equipping them not only with academic knowledge but also with critical legal awareness that enables them to understand their rights and responsibilities. Prof. Manhas also underlined the important role of Human Development experts in spreading legal awareness within communities, as professionals working closely with families, children and communities can play a significant role in promoting awareness about rights, justice and gender equality.

The programme was attended by students, research scholars, staff members and faculty members of the department. The session concluded with an engaging interaction in which students and scholars raised questions and shared their perspectives, making the programme both informative and participatory.