Allahabad High Court Organises Gender Sensitization Workshop For Family Court Counsellors

The workshop sought to deepen participants' understanding of gender as a social construct, familiarise them with gender stereotypes, and build their capacity to identify and address the influence of gender norms in both professional and personal contexts. The overarching objective was to foster empathetic, equitable, and bias-free engagement in family court processes.

Inaugural Session

The workshop was inaugurated by Ms. Rekha Agnihotri, Director, Judicial Training & Research Institute, U.P. In her address, she underscored that gender sensitivity is indispensable in the effective resolution of matrimonial disputes, noting that counsellors serve as the first point of contact for families navigating conflict. She emphasised the need to recognise stereotypes and unconscious biases, describing them as key impediments to ensuring dignity, empathy, and fairness within family court mechanisms. Ms. Agnihotri expressed confidence that the workshop would enable counsellors to meaningfully introspect and incorporate gender-aware approaches in their daily work.

Technical Sessions

The resource persons for the workshop were Prof. Roli Misra, Dr. Prashant Shukla, and Dr. Sonali Roy Choudhury from the Gender Sensitization (GenSen) Cell, University of Lucknow. The training module was designed to be participatory, encouraging counsellors to examine their own perceptions and interrogate ingrained biases.

• Prof. Roli Misra, in her session on “Gender in Society and Stereotypes”, examined the social construction of gender roles and the reinforcement of stereotypes through cultural, institutional, and interpersonal frameworks. She highlighted the impact of these stereotypes on decision-making and interactions within Family Courts. Participants actively engaged in discussions on recognising and countering unconscious biases.
• Dr. Prashant Shukla led a reflective session on “Gender Sensitization in Ancient India”, exploring the historical roots and evolution of patriarchal structures. He discussed how these norms continue to shape contemporary social and legal attitudes toward gender. The session encouraged participants to critically assess the lingering effects of patriarchal systems in modern professional settings.
• Dr. Sonali Roy Choudhury delivered a session on “The Nature of Matrimonial Disputes and Their Recourse through a Legal Lens”. She provided insights into the types of disputes commonly encountered in family courts, the gendered social dynamics underlying such disputes, and the legal remedies available under current laws. Her session equipped counsellors with practical understanding necessary for delivering sensitive and fair counselling.

The workshop concluded with a valedictory session, followed by the distribution of certificates of participation. Family Court Counsellors appreciated the opportunity to reflect on gender-related challenges within their work and committed to integrating the learnings into their counselling practices.