The Departmental Lecture Program at Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, Second Campus, was successfully organized on 27th September 2025. The distinguished spokesperson for the event was Dr. Shivani Katara, a dental surgeon by profession and Ph.D. in Social Medicine from the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi is also a researcher and advocate of women’s health issues.
Dr. Katara is widely known for her interdisciplinary approach that bridges the domains of medicine, society, and law. With deep commitment to women’s health and the broader dimensions of healthcare, she strives to simplify complex medical issues and situate them within social and cultural contexts. Her passion lies in making healthcare accessible and relatable, highlighting that health is not merely a biological condition but also a human and social experience.
Delivering her lecture on the crucial theme “Health Risks of Abortion”, Dr. Katara emphasized that abortion is recognized as both a legal and fundamental right of women in India. However, she highlighted the ground realities faced by women who often suffer due to inadequate medical facilities, insensitive treatment by doctors and ANMs, and lack of awareness. Referring to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, she explained its provisions, rights, and limitations, and further elaborated on the MTP Amendment Act, 2021, which broadened women’s rights and access to safe abortions.
In her address, Dr. Katara strongly advocated for the recognition of women’s bodily autonomy, stressing that the right to abortion must be understood as the right of a woman over her own foetus. Her talk, enriched with examples and socio-legal perspectives, made the students reflect deeply on the intersection of health, law, and gender justice.
The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Prof. R. K. Verma, Head and Dean, Faculty of Law, along with Dr. Richa Saxena and Dr. Lalit Kishor Srivastava, whose encouragement and support added significance to the program.
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