Tanveer Hussain
Budgam, November 2An awareness programme under Mission Shakti was organised by the District Social Welfare Department, Budgam, at Panchayat Ghar, Arizal, Khansahib, to educate women about their constitutional safeguards, legal rights and statutory protections against domestic violence.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of women belonging to Arizal and adjoining areas of Khansahib.
Advocate Bilal Ahmad Rather, Panel Lawyer, Tehsil Legal Services Committee (TLSC), Beerwah, deputed by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Budgam, attended the programme as the principal resource person. He delivered a detailed and informative lecture on the topic, “Constitutional Safeguards for Women and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.”
The programme was also attended by Advocate Sajad Ahmad Dar of Beerwah Court and SI Surjat Kumar of Police Station Khansahib, who shared their views on the legal and institutional mechanisms available for the protection, safety and empowerment of women.
During his address, Advocate Bilal Ahmad Rather highlighted the constitutional guarantees and fundamental rights available to women, along with the legal remedies for those facing domestic violence. He also explained the role of legal services institutions in ensuring access to justice, with particular emphasis on the key provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
He stressed that women should not hesitate to report incidents of domestic violence due to fear, social pressure or other constraints and encouraged them to seek legal assistance whenever required.
An interactive question-and-answer session was also held, during which participating women actively raised queries regarding their legal rights and available remedies. The resource persons addressed their concerns and provided necessary legal guidance.
A notable feature of the programme was that officials and representatives of the Social Welfare Department interacted with the participants in their mother tongue and local language, ensuring that the message of legal awareness reached women from different sections of society in an understandable and effective manner.
The programme marked an important step towards strengthening legal literacy, promoting gender equality and empowering women to raise their voices against domestic violence, discrimination and other forms of injustice.
The organisers reiterated their commitment to conducting more such awareness programmes, particularly in rural and far-flung areas, to ensure that women are well-informed about their legal rights and have better access to the justice delivery system.
