Delhi State Legal Services Authority Celebrates International Women's Day
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
5 March 2025 6:36 AM
The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) commemorated International Women's Day in the presence of Justice K. V. Viswanathan, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Mentor Judge, DSLSA, as the Chief Guest, along with Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi & Patron-in-Chief, DSLSA, Justice Vibhu Bakhru, Judge, High Court of Delhi & Executive...
The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) commemorated International Women's Day in the presence of Justice K. V. Viswanathan, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Mentor Judge, DSLSA, as the Chief Guest, along with Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi & Patron-in-Chief, DSLSA, Justice Vibhu Bakhru, Judge, High Court of Delhi & Executive Chairman, DSLSA, and Justice Rekha Palli, Judge, High Court of Delhi. Several other Judges of the Delhi High Court were also in attendance.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru emphasized DSLSA's commitment to gender justice and an inclusive society where every woman has access to justice and opportunity. DSLSA's continued efforts were highlighted through Project वीरांगना, empowering marginalized women as Community Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs), and Project वाणी, promoting legal awareness. The crucial role of Community PLVs was underscored, recognizing their deep-rooted presence in society as torchbearers of justice. A call was made for collective action to turn policies into protection, rights into realities, and ensure every woman's right to dignity, equality, and justice.
Project वीरांगना was launched under the mentorship of Justice K.V. Vishwanathan, Judge, Supreme Court of India & Mentor Judge, DSLSA and guidance of Justice Vibhu Bakhru, High Court of Delhi, Executive Chairman, DSLSA, emphasizing DSLSA's initiative to empower women and address their legal challenges. This program aims to train persons from diverse backgrounds such as survivors of sexual violence and acid attacks, persons from transgenders community, sex workers, and persons from civil society organisation working for their benefit and upliftment, as Community Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs). This initiative enhances their legal knowledge and advocacy skills, helping them support their communities. The guiding force behind the initiative has been Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi and Patron-in-Chief, DSLSA.
Project वाणी – सशक्त आवाज़, सक्षम समाज: A Week-long Initiative for Women's Legal Empowerment
The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) launched Project वाणी under the mentorship of Justice K.V. Vishwanathan and guidance Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, a transformative initiative running from 2nd March to 8th March, 2025, to empower women through legal awareness and access to justice.
- 2nd March: Legal awareness workshops in communities, shelters, jails, and workplaces to educate women on key laws and rights.
- 3rd March: Sensitization programs on women's health, mental well-being, and parenting.
- 4th March: Self-defense training sessions across multiple locations to enhance women's safety.
- 5th March: Legal aid programs for transgender individuals and sex workers, along with Aadhar registration assistance.
- 6th March: Cybersecurity and online safety workshops focusing on digital privacy, financial literacy, and cybercrime protection.
- 7th March: Multi-Legal Services Camps offering medical aid, legal help desks, and voter/labor card registrations.
- 8th March: Awareness sessions on government welfare schemes, financial assistance, and employment opportunities.
Additionally, DSLSA, in collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa and in co-ordination with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, will provide free vocational training in hospitality related sectors for survivors of sexual violence and acid attacks, enhancing their employability. The three-week training program begins on 8th March , 2025 (International Women's Day) and will conclude with a placement/job mela at DSLSA, Rouse Avenue Court Complex. During the event, official identity cards were also distributed to the selected individuals enrolled as PLVs.
Felicitation of Best Women Legal Services Advocates & Para Legal Volunteers: To recognize outstanding contributions, awards were presented to the best women legal services advocates and para legal volunteers, acknowledging their relentless efforts in advancing legal aid and justice for women.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya delivered the keynote address. He appreciated the officers of DSLSA for conceiving and executing both projects वाणी & वीरांगना, stating that they will go a long way in advancing gender justice.
In his presidential address, Justice K. V. Viswanathan emphasized the judiciary's unwavering commitment to upholding women's rights and ensuring justice for all.
The Judicial Officers of Delhi State Legal Services Authority, Rajeev Bansal, Member Secretary, DSLSA, Naveen Gupta, Special Secretary, DSLSA, Mridul Gupta, Additional Secretary, DSLSA, Abhinav Pandey, Secretary (Litigation), DSLSA, and Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSAs), supervised the minute details of the programme. Registrar General, Delhi High Court and Registrar Vigilance, Delhi High Court, Principal Secretary (Law), Ld. Principal District and Sessions Judges, Director (Skilling & Capacity Building Division), Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, HoD (Management), IHM Pusa, and other officials of Central and State Government were also present.