Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court have directed the formation of a committee to address gender sensitisation and sexual harassment issues involving women and transgender individuals. The committee, established in compliance with a Supreme Court directive, will expand its role to prevent and address complaints of sexual harassment, including those related to transgender persons. In Jammu, Justice Sindhu Sharma will lead the committee, while Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi will head the committee in Srinagar.
The Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) operates under 2016 regulations, focusing on prevention, prohibition, and redressal of such issues. These committees consist of a Chairperson, Senior Advocates, and representatives from the Social Welfare Department. Specifically, a committee in Jammu, led by Justice Sindhu Sharma, has been given the authority to handle sexual harassment complaints concerning women and transgender individuals.
The Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Academy conducts workshops for Judicial Officers, lawyers, and staff to educate them on laws such as the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act (POSH Act) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These efforts aim to combat gender stereotypes and ensure a gender-sensitive approach in legal proceedings. These regulations apply to both the High Court and subordinate courts in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The committee’s objective is to establish a workplace free from gender bias by providing specialized training, including the use of the “Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes” to eliminate biased language in judicial orders.
