MP State Legal Services Authority Marks International Women's Day With Online Interaction For Women Judicial Officers

The programme witnessed online participation from women judicial officers across the State, Secretaries of District Legal Services Authorities, Women District Legal Aid Officers and other officers associated with Legal Services Institutions.

On the occasion, the Preamble to the Constitution of India was presented on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority to all women judicial officers and women officers across the State as a reaffirmation of the constitutional ideals of justice, liberty and equality that form the foundation of the Indian constitutional framework and guide the justice delivery system.

During the programme, an interactive discussion was held on the subject “The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.” While addressing the participants, Justice Anuradha Shukla highlighted the wide ambit and progressive intent of the Act, emphasising that the legislation extends to all workplaces, including courts, institutions and professional spaces, and seeks to ensure a safe, secure and dignified working environment for women. Her Ladyship also underscored the importance of effective implementation of the statutory mechanisms provided under the Act, particularly the role of Internal Complaints Committees, and stressed the need for awareness and sensitivity so that the safeguards available under the law are meaningfully implemented.

Ms. Suman Shrivastava, Member Secretary, Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, also addressed the participants and emphasised the importance of institutional sensitivity, awareness and collective responsibility in preventing workplace harassment. She noted that a respectful and secure working environment is essential for enabling women to perform their professional duties with confidence and dignity.

During the interaction, several women judicial officers and Women District Legal Aid Officers also shared their views and experiences, leading to a constructive exchange of perspectives on creating safe and respectful workplaces.

It was also emphasised that women's empowerment and child welfare are closely interconnected and mutually reinforcing objectives. In this context, reference was made to the 100-day Intensive Awareness Campaign against Child Marriage, launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on 4 December 2025, which culminated on the occasion of International Women's Day.

In accordance with the directions issued by the National Legal Services Authority under the NALSA (ASHA – Awareness, Support, Help and Action) Standard Operating Procedure – Towards Eliminating Child Marriage, 2025, Legal Services Institutions across the country undertook extensive awareness and outreach activities in support of the campaign.

As part of these efforts, the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority prepared an easy-language awareness brochure aimed at spreading awareness among the general public regarding the prevention of child marriage and the legal safeguards available. The brochure was released during the programme.

Among those present in the programme were Smt. Sangeeta Yadav, Registrar (Exam), High Court of Madhya Pradesh; Shri Arvind Shrivastava, Additional Secretary; Shri Aniruddha Jain, Deputy Secretary; and Shri Pradeep Singh Thakur and Shri Digvijay Singh, District Legal Aid Officers.

The programme concluded with an expression of appreciation for the participation of women judicial officers and officers of Legal Services Institutions across the State, whose engagement contributed to the meaningful observance of the occasion.