S A S Nagar, March 7, 2025: District Legal Services Authority, S A S Nagar organised Legal Awareness Programme at Universal College of Education, Lalru on the eve of "Women's Day".
Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, S A S Nagar, Ms. Surabhi Parashar, CJM made the students aware that gender sensitization is the process of making people aware about the need for gender equality and elimination of gender discrimination. It involves understanding and challenging the existing gender roles, stereotypes and prejudices prevalent in the society. Gender sensitization aims to create a more equal and just society where individuals are not discriminated against on the basis of their gender. It is linked to gender empowerment.
Gender sensitization theories claim that modification in the behaviour of teachers and parents (etc.) towards children can have a causal effect on gender equality. Gender sensitization means changing behavior and creating empathy in our thoughts about ourselves and other genders. It helps people to “examine their personal attitudes and beliefs and question the ‘realities’ they thought they knew”. She further added that gender sensitization can be achieved through various means including education, training and awareness raising campaigns. It can be integrated into school curriculum, workplace policies and community programmes.
As a legal services initiative, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar has launched a month-long campaign “Safety of Women at Workplaces” from 01.03.2025 to 31.03.2025. Under this campaign, Ms. Surabhi Parashar made the faculty members and students aware of the various provisions of the POSH Act and discussed the guidelines given by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Vishaka and others vs State of Rajasthan.
She also discussed the important judgment in the case of Aureliano Fernandes vs State of Goa and others, wherein the Hon’ble Supreme Court has highlighted that the appellant started her career as a temporary lecturer in the Department of Political Science He was appointed as the Head of the said Department. In the meanwhile, two girl students along with their friends lodged a complaint with the University alleging physical harassment at his hands.
The appellant alleged a well-planned conspiracy against him by some wayward students in connivance with the faculty members. Whereas, the Grievance Committee after 18 meetings reported that the allegation of sexual harassment was established and the act of the appellant was a gross violation of Rule 3(1)(III) of the Conduct Rules and also a grave misconduct and, as such, it recommended termination of his services.
The Court held that the Committee has totally ignored the cardinal principle that justice must not only be done but it must be clearly seen that justice has been done. The principles of audi alteram partem could not be thrown to the winds in this manner. Ms. Aarti Sharma and Ms. Zeba Parveen, Advocates also educated the students about the free legal services offered by the District Legal Services Authority under the aegis of NALSA and the victim compensation schemes. Dr. Gurpreet Singh, Chairperson of Universal Group of Institutions was also present on the occasion and congratulated Happy Women's Day.