Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya has underscored the imperative that women be accorded substantive respect rather than relegated to symbolic veneration.
Speaking at a symposium organized by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) in observance of International Women’s Day, he critically examined the prevailing socio-legal paradigms that continue to impede the realization of gender parity.
Imperative For Cognitive Reorientation
In his address, Chief Justice Upadhyaya articulated the persistent lacunae in achieving gender equality, asserting that “gender equality is yet to be fully achieved.” He called for a paradigmatic shift in societal perceptions and normative frameworks governing gender dynamics.
To operationalize legal empowerment among marginalized women, DSLSA has instituted ‘Virangana,’ a program designed to integrate women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds as para-legal volunteers (PLVs). These volunteers undergo a structured two-day training program, equipping them with the requisite jurisprudential acumen to facilitate access to justice.
The initiative extends its scope to survivors of sexual offenses, acid attack victims, transgender individuals, female sex workers, and minors who have aged out of child-protection statutes.
Furthermore, it incorporates voluntary social workers and representatives from civil society organizations to foster a multi-stakeholder approach to gender justice.
Structural Barriers To Legal Access
Justice Vishvanathan illuminated the systemic barriers that impede women’s access to legal recourse, reinforcing the necessity of targeted interventions such as ‘Virangana.’ Justice Vibhu Bakhru and other luminaries from the Delhi High Court were also present, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to institutionalizing gender-responsive legal frameworks.
Rajeev Bansal, DSLSA’s Member Secretary, elucidated that PLVs would receive remuneration commensurate with their service tenure. He emphasized, “The purpose of this project is not only to provide legal services but to empower women as frontrunners in society. These women-centric initiatives aim to protect rights and ensure equal treatment for all women.”
Among 250 candidates, 104 were shortlisted, and 80 ultimately participated in the training. As part of a week-long observance culminating on March 8, DSLSA, in collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management Catering & Nutrition, Pusa (IHM), has curated a 30-hour certification module in food and beverage services for 40 survivors of sexual violence, integrating legal empowerment with economic rehabilitation.
Institutional Partnerships & Employment Prospects
Bansal further disclosed that while the certification program ordinarily incurs a cost of Rs 1.25-1.5 lakh, the institution has waived all fees for this cohort, thereby facilitating equitable access to vocational training. Additionally, a ‘Job Fair’ has been orchestrated for program participants, with concurrent negotiations underway with stakeholders in the hospitality and management sectors, as well as the Union Ministry of Tourism, to create sustainable employment pathways.
Recognition Of Exemplary Legal Advocacy
In a demonstration of institutional acknowledgment, women legal services advocates (LSAs) and para-legal volunteers who exhibited exceptional commitment were conferred accolades in the presence of distinguished jurists from the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. Their contributions were recognized as instrumental in advancing gender jurisprudence and fortifying equitable legal access.
This initiative exemplifies a shift from tokenistic gestures toward substantive empowerment, reaffirming women’s inalienable agency as equal stakeholders in the legal and socio-economic spheres.
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