GANDERBAL: Dean Students’ Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) and Inderprastha Engineering College (IPEC), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, organized a one-day ICSSR-sponsored workshop on “Empowerment of Women through Awareness regarding the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.”
The workshop was organized under an ICSSR-sponsored Policy Research Project led by Dr. Mahjabin Banu, Principal Investigator and Chief Project Director.
The workshop witnessed participation from academicians, legal experts, government officials, representatives of civil society organizations, Mission Shakti, women welfare officers, ASHA workers, media professionals, faculty members, students, research scholars, and women beneficiaries, including divorced women and women facing domestic and marital challenges.
Dean School of Legal Studies, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, delivered an insightful address on the constitutional and legal dimensions of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019. He elaborated on issues relating to women’s legal rights, marriage, divorce, maintenance, and property rights, emphasizing that legal awareness is the cornerstone of women’s empowerment.
In her keynote address, Dr. Mahjabin Banu, highlighted the objectives of the ICSSR Policy Research Project and stressed that sustainable women empowerment requires legal awareness, quality education, economic independence, and coordinated institutional support. She emphasized the need for skill development and livelihood opportunities for divorced and vulnerable women to ensure long-term socio-economic empowerment.
Speaking on the Role of Civil Society in Women’s Empowerment and Legal awareness, Mr. Sami Wani, Director, SHE HOPE Society, Ganderbal, shared practical experiences from handling cases relating to domestic violence, marital disputes, counselling, and rehabilitation.
Ms. Sabita Jan, Coordinator, Mission Shakti, Ganderbal, explained various institutional support services available to women, including legal aid, counselling, rehabilitation, livelihood support, and One Stop Centre services, encouraging women to utilize these facilities without hesitation.
Earlier, in his address, Dr. Jehirul Islam, Dean DSW, highlighted the University’s commitment to gender equality and community engagement. He observed that higher educational institutions have a responsibility to empower society by promoting legal literacy, social awareness, and inclusive development.
Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal, Youth Welfare Officer, DSW and Project Director, underscored the vital role of universities in extending knowledge beyond classrooms and contributing to the social transformation through community outreach.
During the open interaction session, several participants shared their personal experiences of domestic violence, divorce, emotional trauma, and their journey towards self-reliance. A major highlight of the programme was the demonstration of the multilingual digital platform “Jagruk Mahila – Empowering Women Through Knowledge and Rights,” developed under the project. Available in English, Hindi, and Urdu, the interactive portal provides women with simplified legal information, guidance on constitutional and statutory rights, emergency support, counselling, and instant assistance through a two-way communication system. Ms. Madhumita Pradhan proposed the vote of thanks.