Kupwara : In compliance with the Plan of Action and Calendar of Activities for the month of April 2025, vide Order No. DLSA/KUP/2025/16 dated 05-04-2025, the Tehsil Legal Services Committee (TLSC), Tangdhar, in collaboration with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Block Tangdhar, successfully organised an awareness programme on “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence, Property Rights, and Workplace Harassment” on 21st April 2025 at the ICDS Office, Tangdhar.
The event was held under the able guidance and supervision of Mr. Mansoor Ahmed Mir, Munsiff/Chairman, TLSC Tangdhar, who has been instrumental in promoting legal awareness and access to justice in the region. The programme aimed to sensitize the community, particularly women, about their legal rights and the safeguards available under various laws protecting them against violence, discrimination, and inequality.
The programme was attended by the staff of TLSC Tangdhar, including panel lawyers, Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs), and the ICDS Block Tangdhar team. A significant turnout of around 40 Anganwadi workers and helpers reflected the community’s growing interest in legal literacy and women’s empowerment.
Notable panel lawyers Advocate Shabir Ahmad and Advocate Waqar Ahmad also graced the occasion and interacted with the participants. The key speaker and resource person for the event, Advocate Farooq Ahmed Qureshi, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the legal rights of women, covering key legislation such as:
1. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
2. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
Adv. Qureshi also highlighted the role of Legal Services Authorities in providing free legal aid, the importance of approaching proper legal channels in case of abuse, and the support mechanisms available to women under the law.
During his address, he emphasized the urgent need to empower women by making them legally aware and socially confident. He stated, “Empowerment begins with awareness. Women must know their rights to claim their rightful place in society.”
The session also included a Q&A segment where Anganwadi workers raised practical queries regarding domestic disputes, inheritance rights, and workplace safety. The lawyers and PLVs provided them with on-the-spot guidance and encouraged them to approach TLSC for further legal support if needed.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from the ICDS Supervisor, who appreciated the joint efforts of TLSC and ICDS in reaching the grassroots level. She expressed hope that such initiatives would continue in the future, bridging the gap between law and the common people.
This programme was a significant step towards creating a more informed, just, and gender-sensitive society. It sent out a powerful message of empowerment, equality, and legal inclusivity.