Unit I

Introduction to Gender Policy and Legislation: Understanding Gender: Understanding Gender: Concepts, Definitions, and Terminologies, Overview of Gender Policy and Legislation Framework in India, Historical Perspectives: Evolution of Gender Policies and Laws, Key Actors and Institutions: Government Bodies, NGOs, Civil Society, Challenges and Gaps in Gender Policy Implementation

Unit II

Constitutional Framework and Gender Rights: Constitutional Provisions for Gender Equality: Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, Landmark Judgments on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights, Gender Equality and Right to Equality: Case Studies, Role of National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions, Legal Mechanisms for Addressing Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence.

Unit III

Women’s Empowerment and Development Policies: National Policy for Empowerment of Women, Gender Mainstreaming in Development Programs and Policies, Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights Policies, Women’s Economic Empowerment: Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Inclusion, Reservation Policies and Affirmative Action for Women: Quotas in Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies.

Unit IV

Gender-Based Violence: Laws and Interventions: Legal Framework for Addressing Gender-Based Violence: Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, Criminal Laws and Amendments related to Rape, Dowry, Acid Attacks, and Honor Killings, Support Systems for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Shelters, Helplines, Legal Aid, Role of Law Enforcement Agencies and Judiciary in Combating Gender-Based Violence,Prevention Strategies: Education, Awareness Campaigns, Community Interventions.

Unit V

Emerging Issues and Future Directions: Intersectionality and Multiple Forms of Discrimination: Caste, Class, Religion, Disability, Transgender Rights and Legal Recognition: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, Emerging Policy Responses to Gender and Technology: Cyber Harassment, Online Abuse, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Gender Equality: Progress and ChallengesFuture Directions in Gender Policy and Legislation: Opportunities for Reform and Advocacy

Prerequisite: NA

Summary: Gender Policy and Legislation in India provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and policy frameworks addressing gender issues in India. Through five units, students will explore the historical evolution of gender policies, constitutional provisions for gender equality, women’s empowerment initiatives, laws addressing gender-based violence, and emerging issues in the field. By the end of the course, students will gain an understanding of the complexities of gender policy implementation and the challenges and opportunities for advancing gender equality in India..

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the historical evolution of gender policies and legislation in India
2. Analyze the constitutional provisions related to gender equality and women’s rights in India, including fundamental rights and directive principles
3. Evaluate landmark judgments and legal mechanisms aimed at addressing gender-based discrimination and violence in India’s judicial system.
4. Examine the role of government bodies, NGOs, and civil society organizations in formulating, implementing, and monitoring gender policies and legislation.
5. Explore emerging issues such as intersectionality, transgender rights, and gender-based cyber harassment, and evaluate policy responses to address these challenges

Course Outcomes:

• CO1: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution, constitutional provisions, and key legal frameworks pertaining to gender policy and legislation in India.
• CO2: Develop analytical skills to critically evaluate landmark judgments, legal mechanisms, and policy initiatives aimed at addressing gender-based discrimination.
• CO3: assess the effectiveness and impact of national policies and programs for women’s empowerment and development.
• CO4: identify emerging issues such as intersectionality, transgender rights, and gender-based cyber harassment, and propose policy solutions.
• CO5: recognize opportunities for policy reform and advocacy in advancing gender equality and women’s rights in India, and develop strategies for meaningful engagement with government bodies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to effect positive change.

Skills:

• Critically analyse and comprehend
• Self-reflection

-Program outcome PO – Course Outcomes CO Mapping

Program Specific Outcomes PSO – Course Objectives – Mapping

Evaluation Pattern:

*CA – Can be Quizzes, Assignment, Projects, and Reports, and Seminar

1. “Gender Justice, Citizenship and Development” by Maitrayee Mukhopadhyay and Navsharan Singh
2. “Gender and Law in India: Critical Essays” edited by Kalpana Kannabiran and Ranbir Singh
3. “Women and Law in India: An Omnibus” edited by Kalpana Kannabiran and Others
4. “Gender Inequality in India: Perspectives from Social Science Research” by Nandini Deo and B. L. Ramakrishna
5. “Gender, Rights and Development: A Global Sourcebook” edited by Caroline Sweetman
6. “Gender and Politics in India” by Nivedita Menon
7. “Engendering Law: Essays in Honour of Lotika Sarkar” edited by Amita Dhanda and Archana Parashar
8. “The Gendered Terrain of Disaster: Through Women’s Eyes” edited by Enarson and Chakrabarti
9. “Mapping Gendered Violence: Narratives, Political Tensions, and the Public Sphere” edited by Sunita Chakravarty and Tanika Sarkar