Expert Panel Discussion | International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation | Gujarat National Law University | 8th February, 2023

Expert Panel Discussion on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is being organised by Gujarat National Law University on 8th February, 2023.

About Gujarat National Law University

Gujarat National Law University is a statutory University established by the Government of Gujarat under the Gujarat National Law University Act, 2003. The University is recognized by the Bar Council of India and the University Grants Commission. The University functions as a nodal agency to uplift the legal education in the State of Gujarat. The University offers teaching, research and training programmes in law and inter-disciplinary fields such as Arts, Commerce, Science and Technology, Business Administration and Social Work at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. It is the only National Law University that is offering integrated undergraduate law degrees in five areas- B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.S.W. LL.B. (Hons.), B.Com. LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), and B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.); full-time LL.M., PhD in law and other disciplines as recommended by the UGC as well as diploma/certificate courses in various areas.

About GCRCJS

Recognizing that a comprehensive appreciation of the technicalities, complexities and patterns of criminal law are indispensable for realizing the goals of the law, the University established the Centre for Research in Criminal Justice Sciences. (GCRCJS) It is a Centre dedicated to carry out research in the niche area of Criminal Law. The Centre provides a platform for a holistic research environment and aims to further knowledge and academic discussions about the multifaceted dimensions of criminal science.

GCRCJS conducted the 1st National Essay Writing Competition in July-August 2021, a Certificate Course on Cyber Crime, Crime Forensics and Law in August, 2021 and the 13th Asian Criminology Conference in July 2022 which had about 500 participants, resource persons and organising committee members from all across India and the world, with representation from countries such as Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The 13th Asian Criminology Conference, which was organised in collaboration with the Asian Criminological Society, National Forensic Science University, Gujarat Maritime University and University of Madras (Department of Criminology) received more than 200 abstracts across 11 different sub-themes, and was graced by dignitaries such as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, Hon'ble Justice Aravind Kumar, Hon'ble Justice NV Anjaria from the Gujarat High Court, Shree Harsh Sanghvi, Home Minister, Gujarat, Hon'ble Justice Kaushal Thaker from the Allahabad High Court, Prof. Dr. NK Chakrabarti, Director of WBNUJS and many more.

GCRCJS has facilitated transfer of knowledge and ideas by conducting 8 student discourses under the "Crime and Justice: A Discourse Series" and published 6 issues of its well-regarded newsletter "The Crime and Justice Gazette" which covers a wide range of contemporary issues, murder mysteries, case comments, articles, crosswords, and riddles.

GCRCJS has had the privilege of hosting Shri Shekhar Naphade, Senior Advocate, practicing at the Supreme Court of India for a webinar pertaining to the law of evidence. GCRCJS also got the opportunity to host Dr. Prabhakaran Paleri, a former director general of the Indian Coast Guard and Shri Narshimha Komar, a deputy director general of the Gujarat Police, for a webinar on India @75: Indian Armed Force. The focus of the webinar was on India’s External & Internal Security Strength at 75 years of independence. GCRCJS hosted its first Legislative Drafting Competition on the theme ‘Prevention of Substance Abuse in Schools and Higher Education.’ Students from law schools all around India submitted entries to join and support the sharing of thoughts and experiences on the targeted issue. Recently, GCRCJS had the pleasure of hosting Hon’ble Ms. Justice Gita Gopi, Judge, Gujarat High Court. Her Ladyship gave an in-depth understanding on “Bail Jurisprudence, Quashing of FIRs and Role of Young Lawyers & Law Students in Litigation: A Judicial Perspective.” Her Ladyship spoke extensively on Rights of Prisoners, Power of Courts in Bail & Quashing Matter and reflected upon the importance of youth as a driving force in the legal fraternity.

About International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

Since 2003, the United Nations (UN) observes February 6 every year as the “International Day for Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation”. The Sustainable Development Goals call for its elimination before 2030. The WHO has tagged Female Genital Mutilation as a ‘grave human rights violation,’ while a 2012 UN General Assembly has called for the worldwide elimination of Female Genital Mutilation.

Female genital mutilation comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women.

Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health. More than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone Female Genital Mutilation in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where Female Genital Mutilation is practiced.

In India, presently there are no government estimates available to ascertain the incidence of FGM. In 2017, in response to a petition in the apex court, the Ministry of Women and Child Development had said that there is no official data or study which supports the existence of Female Genital Mutilation in India.

Further, there is no legislation that bans the practice in the country. In fact, the government’s denial to acknowledge its prevalence has stalled any such effort. Another hiccup in the enactment of a law is its conflict with freedom of religion enshrined under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.

In 2017, a Public Interest Litigation filed in the Supreme Court by Human Rights activist contending that the practice is violative of women’s constitutionally guaranteed right to equality (Article 14), protection against gender-based discrimination (Article 15), right to life, bodily integrity and privacy (Article 21). The government of India must shift its attitude towards the issue and take proactive steps towards eliminating Female Genital Mutilation in India.

Female Genital Mutilation severely impacts the human rights of women and girls. Therefore, through this panel discussion on “International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation” GCRCJS attempts to shed light on the practice of Female Genital Mutilation and not only advocate for its legal prohibition, but also engage with the community to spread awareness and educate people about its ramifications. The panel discussion aims to educate and raise awareness on Female Genital Mutilation. The discussion would begin by shedding some light on the significance on the date. The distinguished panelists would elucidate upon Female Genital Mutilation as a practice, it’s medical and legal implications and highlighting upon the way ahead. The discussion will furnish the platform to understand the legal and medical intricacies about the topic in detail, providing the attended a clear and detailed view on Female Genital Mutilation.

About the Speakers

DR. SHASHIKALA GURPU, Director, Symbiosis Law School, Pune; Dean, Faculty of Law, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University.

Dr. Shashikala Gurpur is an Indian author and professor, who is the director of Symbiosis Law School, Pune and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Symbiosis International University. She is a distinguished academician and orator having presented more than 325 invited lectures, workshops and seminars across India, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Australia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. She has an outstanding career with a wide range of experience in teaching, research and industry and is continuing with Symbiosis Law School since 2007.

Dr. Shashikala Gurpur was a Member of Law Commission of India, Ministry of Law and Justice, Govt. of India (in 2010-12). She is the recipient of several distinct honors, awards, and recognition for her contribution in legal education, gender sensitization and community outreach programmes. In recognition of her contributions to the Indian legal academia, she was listed in the book ‘100 Legal Luminaries of India’, by LexisNexis. She has been recently conferred with the prestigious Annual Kittur Rani Chennamma Award, by the Government of Karnataka, India in 2018, for her work towards the empowerment of women.

DR. CECIL KANUGA, Gynecologist, Marigold Women’s Hospital, Bopal, Ahmedabad

Dr. Cecil Kanuga is a High-Risk Pregnancy Expert at Marigold Women’s Hospital, Bopal, Ahmedabad. She is a member of the expert panel on ‘plasma research’ by the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO). She has a vast experience in her field wherein she has conducted more than 6000 deliveries including major surgeries like ‘lower (uterine) segment Caesarean section’ (LSCS) and has conducted more than 12,000 gynecological surgeries.

Dr. Cecil Kanuga completed her M.B.B.S. at Nathiba Hargovandas Lakhmichand (NHL) Municipal Medical College. Further, she did her masters in gynecology and diploma in gynecology and obstetrics (M.D., D.G.O.) from Byramjee Jeejeebhoy (B.J.) Medical College, Ahmedabad. During this time, she was awarded two gold medals and a prize for securing the first rank in the University. She started practicing as a Consultant Gynecologist from 1995. She has expertise in the areas of High-Risk Pregnancy Management and Adolescent health, Infertility and Menopause management. She has attended and conducted multiple talk shows and awareness programs on multiple platforms.

Date & Time

• Date: February 8, 2023 (Wednesday)
• Time: 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Eligibility

The Webinar is open for Students, Lawyers, Research Scholars, Teachers, Judges, Professionals and Academicians or for anyone who is interested in the topic of the Webinar.

Please Note: There is no registration fee. Further, no certificate shall be issued for attending the webinar.

How to Register?

The webinar will be conducted on Cisco WebEx, details of which will be shared with the participants in due course of time.

To register for the Webinar, click one the link: Click Here

Registration Deadline: February 7, 2023 (Tuesday)

Contact

• Email
• gcrcjs@gnlu.ac.in
• Phone
• Mr. Dev Shroff (+91 98204 65134)
• Mr. Shubh Naik (+91 98243 30830)