New Delhi, Aug 7 Supreme Court judge Justice B V Nagarathna will inaugurate a two-day regional conference on "Justice for Women" in Bengaluru on Saturday, bringing together judges, legal experts, police officers and policymakers to discuss ways to strengthen women's access to justice and improve the implementation of laws aimed at their protection.
The event, to be held at the Karnataka Judicial Academy, is being jointly organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW), the High Court of Karnataka and the Karnataka Judicial Academy.
The conference marks the first in a series of regional consultations planned by the NCW across different parts of the country before a proposed national convention on issues affecting women and the justice delivery system.
According to the organisers, the deliberations will focus on identifying gaps in the enforcement of women-centric laws, addressing institutional challenges and evolving a coordinated framework to improve legal remedies and support mechanisms available to women.
The inaugural session will be presided over by Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru. Karnataka High Court judges Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice S G Pandit will attend as guests of honour, while NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar will address participants.
During the opening ceremony, the organisers will also unveil digital publications aimed at creating legal awareness among women, including a handbook titled "We the Women of India" and a guide on domestic violence laws.
The conference agenda includes four technical sessions covering a range of issues related to women's rights and justice. Discussions are expected to examine access to legal aid, the rights of women facing criminal prosecution, victim compensation and rehabilitation measures, and the implementation of workplace sexual harassment laws.
Participants will also deliberate on the role of mediation in resolving matrimonial, child custody, succession and domestic violence disputes. Another session will focus on women's safety in public spaces, homes and the digital environment, along with the working of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
The organisers said women judges of the Supreme Court, judges from southern high courts, senior advocates, mediators, police officers, academics and subject experts will take part in the discussions.
The conference will conclude on August 9 with a valedictory session to be addressed by Supreme Court judge Justice V Mohana. Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Lisa Gill will preside over the closing function, with Rahatkar attending as the guest of honour.
