NEW DELHI, Oct 4:
There is a need for concerted efforts to address the issue of sexual harassment at workplace and Justice Verma committee recommendations made in this regard should be included in the legal curriculum, senior advocate Indira Jaising has said.
Jaising, who was the first woman Additional Solicitor General, called upon law students to take up litigation and encouraged them to come forward in assuming leadership roles.
“There is need for concerted efforts to address sexual harassment of women in the workplace. Justice J S Verma Committee report should be included in the syllabus of law students. Female students must take up litigation and there should be a fair representation in leadership roles for women.
“The primary role and responsibility of lawyers is to bring in social and political change, lawyers need to contribute to the process of social engineering,” Jaising was quoted as saying, at a function organised to celebrate the fifth anniversary of O P Jindal Global University (JGU).
A statement by the JGU said that the former law officer dealt in detail about the recommendations of Justice Verma Committee’s report on crime against women.
A three-member committee headed by Justice Verma, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was set up on December 23, 2012, to recommend amendments to the criminal law to provide for expeditious trial and enhanced punishment for persons accused of committing sexual assault against women.
The report, submitted on January 23, last year, had made recommendations on laws related to rape, sexual harassment, trafficking, child sexual abuse, medical examination of victims, police, electoral and educational reforms.
Speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor of JGU, Prof C Raj Kumar said the University was fully committed to promoting excellence in teaching, research and capacity building.
“It is essential that universities in India promote excellence through research and publications,” he said. (PTI)
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