Justice Magrey inaugurates workshop on ‘Gender Sensitization–Breaking Barriers, Addressing Issues’

Srinagar | : With the objective of generating awareness on gender related issues and raising sensitization on the provisions of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, a one day Workshop on ‘Gender Sensitization–Breaking Barriers and Addressing Issues’ was organized by Committee on Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Srinagar wing, in association with J&K Judicial Academy and J&K Legal Services Authority at District Court Complex, Srinagar.
The workshop was conducted under the patronage of Justice Pankaj Mithal, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), directions of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Chairman, Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee and guidance of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, Chairman, Examination cum Judicial Education and Training Programme Committee, Justice Tashi Rabstan, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Members of Examination cum Judicial Education and Training Programme Committee, for the members of Gender Sensitization Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC), High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Srinagar wing and Gender Sensitization Local Complaints Committee (GSLCC) of districts of Kashmir province and district Kargil.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Chairman Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee inaugurated the workshop.
Sanjay Parihar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, Shabnam Kamili, Mission Director ICDPS J&K and Gulafroz Jan Assistant Professor, Department of Law, School of Legal Studies, Central University, Kashmir were the resource persons in the workshop while Jeema Bashir, In-charge Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar was also present on the occasion.
In his inaugural address, Justice Magrey highlighted the importance of sensitization and awareness on gender related issues for both men and women. He emphasized the need for mutual respect between the genders for building a strong nation and highlighted the key provisions of the Act particularly those relating to its procedural aspects. He underscored the importance of the workshop for creating a safe and healthy environment for women in the organization resulting into better output and foster positive work culture.
In the technical sessions, Sanjay Parihar explained about the concept of gender sensitization through a detailed power point presentation. He sensitized the participants on the facets of gender roles assigned by the society and the discrimination prevalent in the society arising from gender biases. He also explained the legal aspects of the Act and judicial precedents on the point and advised the participants to develop a gender sensitive approach for the purpose of productive participation of women at workplaces.
Shabnam Shah Kamili, Mission Director, ICDPS educated the participants on the provisions of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 with special reference to constitution of various committees, the process of inquiries into complaints of sexual harassment within the institutions and the penalty provided under the Act. She explained that the legislative provisions of the Act aim to provide a protective umbrella against sexual harassment of women at workplace and to ensure her meaningful inclusion and constructive participation in the development process.
Gulafroz Jan delved upon various aspects of gender sensitization including social construction of gender and gender roles. She apprised the participants on issues including gender discrimination, stereotypes, prejudices and gender equality. She emphasized the need for a positive and equality oriented approach while engaging in interactions within the society.
Later, an interactive session was held during which the participants deliberated and discussed various aspects of the subject and raised queries which were satisfactorily settled by the resource persons.