Committee For Sensitization Of Family Court Matters, High Court Of Judicature At Allahabad Organises Gender Sensitization Workshop

The objective of the workshop was to familiarize Judicial Officers with the concept of gender, to make them aware of and sensitive to gender stereotypes, and to enable them to recognize the influence of gender in both their homes and workplaces.

The Workshop was inaugurated on 11^th October, 2025 by Justice Jaspreet Singh, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters.

Justice Jaspreet Singh

Justice Jaspreet Singh delivered the Keynote Address, stating that it is imperative to “learn to unlearn” so that prejudices, including those about gender, can be left behind. He emphasized that when judges adjudicate matters, it is not merely a disposal of cases but the dispensation of justice—a divine function.

Highlighting the works of authors Lawrence Sanders and Robin Cook, He discussed how the human psyche operates, observing that knowledge is ever-evolving and that “the more one knows, the more one realizes one does not know.” He underscored that being receptive is the key to breaking gender stereotypes and cited the landmark case of Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) to discuss the evolution of the discourse on gender identity and societal norms.

The sessions in the workshop were conducted by Prof. Roli Misra, Dr. Prashant Shukla, and Dr. Sonali Roy Choudhury from the University of Lucknow. The workshop module was designed to be participative and discussion-oriented, with the objective of transforming perceptions related to gender.

Prof. Roli Misra, while introducing the structure and objectives of the two days' workshop, expressed gratitude for the consistent efforts of the Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters in fostering a better understanding of gender issues and breaking stereotypes. She spoke about systemic inequalities and the ingrained social biases present in society, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to ensure that equality becomes not merely an aspiration but a lived reality.

Prof. Roli Misra

Dr. Prashant Shukla addressed the august gathering during the inaugural session on the theme “Setting the Tone” and emphasized the importance of discussing books to understand what must be done. He set the tone of the workshop by quoting Socrates, who said, “Knowledge is virtue,” and spoke about gender expectations as well as the need to identify and address inherent biases.

A session conducted jointly by Prof. Roli Misra, Dr. Prashant Shukla, and Dr. Sonali Roy Choudhury included discussions of various media examples to illustrate how gender stereotyping occurs. An interactive approach was adopted, allowing participating officers to share their views and experiences.

On Day Two, discussions on gender sensitivity were held through references to ancient India, renowned books, and case laws. This was followed by a session featuring media clips that highlighted various aspects of gender sensitization.

Justice Sangeeta Chandra

The valedictory session was graced by Justice Sangeeta Chandra, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Chairperson, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters. She delivered the Valedictory Address, which was followed by the Vote of Thanks.

In her address, Justice Sangeeta Chandra referred to the judgment in Aparna Bhat v. State of Madhya Pradesh (2021), wherein gender sensitivity in judicial orders and judgments was discussed. Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who said, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved,” She emphasized that the goal is to create a society where everyone is treated with basic human dignity and inherent biases are eliminated. She expressed hope that the learnings from the workshop would remain with the participating officers and guide their future conduct.