Gender Sensitization Workshop For Family Court Judges Held At Gautam Buddha Nagar

The objective of the workshop was to familiarize Judicial Officers with the concept of Gender to make officers aware of and sensitive to gender stereotypes; and to enable them to recognize the working of gender in their homes and workplace.

The Workshop was inaugurated on 12^th July, 2025 by Justice Sangeeta Chandra, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Chairperson, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters, Justice Siddharth, Judge, Allahabad High Court and Administrative Judge of Bulandshahar district, Justice Om Prakash Shukla, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters. Justice Manju Rani Chauhan, Judge, Allahabad High Court and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters also graced the workshop with her presence.

Justice Sangeeta Chandra delivered the opening address, reflecting on the objective of the workshop being to create awareness on gender issues not to emphasize sameness, rather to ensure equality while respecting differences. She spoke about the silent prejudices that affect our day-to- day lives and work and how this workshop becomes important to dispel them. She elucidated as to how myriad areas of law, society, Economics, philosophy and gender are all inter-linked, reflecting the idea of this workshop as an eye-opener.

Justice Siddharth addressed the gathering reflecting on the true import of gender sensitization and the nuanced difference between sex and gender. He discussed how the traditional model of division of labour has metamorphosized over time, and the evolution and change in conventional roles has led to complex issues that need thorough consideration and discussion. He cited the famous lines of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains” to drive home the need for opening our minds.

Justice Om Prakash Shukla delivered the Keynote Address, stating how gender dynamics have a strong impact on perception and the implications of gender on behavioural norms and expectations. He emphasized that decisions must be fair, inclusive and free from gender bias, for which stereotypes on sex and sexual offences need to be broken too. The beginning point for this has to be consideration of the changing cultural milieu and proactive participation of Family Courts in removing biases. He cited the cases of NALSA v. Union of India (2014) regarding the fluidity of the gender discourse and State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh (1996) about the need to break subconscious biases in cases involving sexual offences.

Justice Manju Rani Chauhan addressed the participants, citing the need for a balanced approach when it comes to handling gender issues. She also mentioned some instances of gender bias and how true justice can only be meted out if these stereotypes are removed. Moreover, She stressed on the importance of active participation and discussion in such a workshop to elicit varied ideas and experiences and learn from each other.

The sessions in the workshop were conducted by Prof. Roli Misra, Dr. Prashant Shukla and Dr. Sonali Roy Choudhury from the Gender Sensitization (Gen Sen) Cell, University of Lucknow. The workshop module is designed as participative and discussion-oriented with a view to change the perceptions regarding gender.

Prof. Roli Misra introduced the framework of the two days‟ workshop and expressed gratitude for the consistent efforts of the Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Judges to better understand the spirit of gender equality while deciding cases. She mentioned common gender stereotypes and the need for empathy to address violence and inequality. She also cited that the implementation of laws needs to be strengthened.

Dr. Prashant Shukla addressed the gathering in the inaugural session on "Understanding Gender" and stated how it is important to discuss what books say so that one knows what is to be done. He set the tone of the workshop by distinguishing between equality and equity and that gender sensitization is not about total uniformity but about appreciating differences.

On Day Two – Gender Sensitivity was discussed through cases laws followed by a session in which media clips were shown to shed light on various aspects of gender sensitization.

The valedictory session was attended by Justice Sangeeta Chandra, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Chairperson, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters, Justice Jaspreet Singh, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters and Justice Manju Rani Chauhan, Judge, Allahabad High Court & Member, High Court Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters.

In the valedictory session, Justice Jaspreet Singh, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters delivered the valedictory address followed by the vote of thanks. He mentioned three essentials to ensure the success of such a workshop- inculcation, remembrance and retrieval. His Lordship mentioned the idea of intersectionality and the need for heightened sensitivity. He mentioned about the book “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” as an example to understand gender constructs. He also stated that as judges, sensitization should reflect in personal behaviour and the institution as a whole.