The School of Gender and Development Studies in collaboration with School of Law, IGNOU designed and developed a Certificate Programme in Gender in Law in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. As you know, gender is one of the prime areas which have been widely discussed at the international and national level. Policy regime is exploring the impact of the intersections of gender, law and justice. This programme engages with the discourses of socio-political spaces with multiple marginalities. It also probes the determinants of multifaceted forms of exclusion and oppression of different sections of women and other categories. India, as a developing country, is undergoing drastic transformation. The Constitution of India does provide equal rights to all citizens of India. On the other hand, when one looks at the situation of women, marginalized categories and so on, we can argue that cutting across the different social strata they face diverse forms of stigma and discrimination. Societal control via customs and law driven social change coexist in paradoxical ways as well. The feminist movements in India and across the world are critically interrogating with the field of national and international law by offering gendered critique to legal theoretical formulations and practices. They evaluate the existing laws, newly amended and enacted laws in the context of gender to ensure justice and equality for all genders.

This programme will investigate the various aspects of gender and law in the Indian context by engaging with the foundations of core themes such as understanding the Indian legal system; differences between sex and gender; multiple sexualities; patriarchy in law; heteronormativity in law; equality and discrimination in law; gender-based violence (domestic, sexual, communal, caste, conflict, violence against LGBTI) and so on. It will also enhance our understanding on gender and governance.

Who Can Take Admission?

• The Government servants working with State Commission of women across the country.
• The Government servants of State and Central Governments who are promoting legal education and legal literacy programmes.
• Professionals working in the development sector and functionaries with NGOs working on gender and women’s issues in India.
• Lawyers, faculties of gender and women’s studies, faculties of social sciences.
• Students from legal institutions, legal research organizations and women’s studies /gender studies graduates.
• Faculty, researchers and students in universities, research organizations and colleges. • Institutions and organizations working on sexual minorities.
• Women’s organizations and research institutions working on gender issues
• School teachers, media persons, unorganized sector workers and so on.

Programme Coordinators and Contact Details:

Dr. Smita M.Patil, Assistant Professor,(SOGDS),IGNOU, New Delhi-110068
Dr. Gurmeet Kaur, Assistant Professor, (SOL), IGNOU, New Delhi-110068.

Email ids: smitampatil@ignou.ac.in & gurmeetkaur@ignou.ac.in
Contact numbers: 011-29571618 & 011-29572984