The Helping Hands Society organized an Interactive Session on legal literacy and health awareness for female students of Aligarh Muslim University titled “Quwwat-e-Niswaa'n”, at Women's College auditorium. Mrs. Sabiha Simi Shah, wife of the Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah, presided over the inaugural session. Dr. Nahid Murtaza Khan, Principal, Women’s College, was the Guest of Honour.
The interactive session commenced with the welcome address by Areeba Siddiqui, President, Helping Hands Society, who highlighting the mission and vision of the society.
Mrs. Qurratul-Aein Ali, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work delivered a talk on personal health and hygiene concerning women. She said that most of the women are careless about their health, which, in the long run, leads to serious health issues. From hand washing to reproductive health, every aspect of general health should be taken care of, she added. She also informed the girls about various reproductive tract infections including sexually transmitted diseases, their prevention and cure.
Anam Rais Khan, a student of BALLB enlightened the girls about their legal rights and procedural safeguards under the Criminal Procedure Code with special reference to the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013. She said, “I believe that the major cause of exploitation of women in India is not the dearth of laws, but the fact that women at large are unaware of their rights. Laws are rotting in law books and restricted to court rooms.” She observed that no woman can be arrested after sunset and before sunrise and no woman can be called as witness to police station but have to be examined at their place of residence only.
Sarah Hashim Khan, another student of BALLB described rules and procedure of filing complaint to the Committee against Sexual Harassment and for Gender Sensitization existing in the AMU i.e., which acts as a grievance redressal body for sexual harassment of students, teachers or non teaching staff.
Nabeela Siddiqui and Roshan Alam shed light on the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Deeba Abrar, a research scholar in the Department of Women Studies presented a poem “Betiyan” composed by renowned poet, Johnny Foster.
Samia Siddiqui, Secretary of the Society, proposed the vote of thanks. Over 500 girls from various courses of AMU were present at the session.
Press Release Submitted to AMU PRO Office
