Two Days’ Workshop on “Gender Sensitization” was organized by the Hon’ble Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters, High Court of Judicature at Allahabad on 11th & 12th October, 2025, at the Judicial Training & Research Institute, U.P., Lucknow, in which Judicial Officers posted on deputation at the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Judicial Training and Research Institute, U.P. and the Uttar Pradesh Legal Services Authority participated.
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 11th October, 2025 by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jaspreet Singh, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jaspreet Singh, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters (At the time of Lighting of Lamp) | Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jaspreet Singh Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Member, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters (Addressing the Participants) |
Hon’ble Mr. 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. His Lordship emphasized that this is important because when judges adjudicate matters, it is not mere disposal of cases, rather dispensation of justice, a divine function. Highlighting the works of authors Lawrence Sanders and Robin Cook, His Lordship mentioned how human psyche works. It must be understood that knowledge is evolving and the more one knows, the more one realizes one does not know. Being receptive is the key to breaking gender stereotypes. His Lordship cited the 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 is designed to be participative and discussion-oriented, with the objective of transforming perceptions related to gender.
Prof. Roli Misra, introducing the structure and objectives of the two days’ workshop, expressed gratitude for the consistent efforts of the Hon’ble Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters to foster better understanding of gender issues and break stereotypes. She mentioned systemic inequalities and how social bias is ingrained in society. She emphasized that the goal is to ensure that equality does not remain an aspiration, rather becomes a lived reality.
Prof. Roli MisraLucknow University, Lucknow(Addressing the Participating Officers) |
Dr. Prashant Shukla addressed the august gathering during the inaugural session on ‘Setting the Tone’ and emphasized that the importance of discussing books is 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 inherent biases and address them.
There was a session conducted by Prof. Roli Misra, Dr. Prashant Shukla and Dr. Sonali Roy Choudhury in which various examples from the media were discussed to show how gender stereotyping occurs. An interactive method was followed wherein the participating officers also expressed their views.
On Day Two – Gender Sensitivity was discussed through reference to ancient India, some renowned books and case laws followed by a session in which media clips were shown to shed light on various aspects of gender sensitization.
Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sangeeta ChandraJudge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow andChairperson, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters(Addressing the Participants) |
The valedictory session was graced by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sangeeta Chandra, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Chairperson, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters.
In the valedictory session, Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sangeeta Chandra, Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Chairperson, Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters delivered the valedictory address followed by the vote of thanks. Your Lordship mentioned the judgment of Aparna Bhat v. State of Madhya Pradesh (2021) wherein gender sensitivity in 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”, Your Lordship emphasized that the goal is to have a society where everyone is treated with basic human dignity and inherent biases are removed, and hoped that the learnings of the workshop stay on with the officers in future.
