Date: 15 April 2026 | Venue: LT-01, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
The Pro Bono Club established under the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Programme of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India in collaboration with The Legal Aid Centre under the aegis of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) at the Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, successfully organised an awareness session on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 also referred to as the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023 on 15 April 2026. The session focused on women’s representation in governance, key structural challenges, and the need for effective implementation of the Act. Through interactive discussions and expert insights, the event promoted legal awareness and emphasized the importance of women’s political empowerment and inclusive policy-making.
About the Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, is one of India’s oldest and most respected centres of legal education. Established in 1921, it has shaped generations of distinguished jurists, scholars, and public leaders who have contributed nationally and internationally. With an academic legacy built by stalwarts such as Professor R. U. Singh and continued by eminent alumni serving as Judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts, academicians, public leaders, including former Presidents, Chief Ministers, Governors, and other constitutional offices, the Faculty continues to uphold its century-old commitment to advancing legal scholarship, public service, and accessible justice.
About the Pro Bono Club & the Legal Aid Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow
The Pro Bono Club of the Faculty of Law functions under the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Programme of the Department of Justice with the mission of integrating legal education with public service. Over the past few years (since September 2023), under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Alok Kumar Yadav, the Club has grown into a dynamic government backed student-led platform facilitating structured pro bono work, legal literacy drives, community outreach, and litigation assistance and The Legal Aid Centre at the Faculty of Law under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Abhishek Kumar Tiwari operates under the aegis of DLSA, Lucknow, to promote legal awareness and access to justice. It provides free legal aid to marginalized sections while engaging students in legal literacy and pro bono initiatives.
Awareness Session on Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023
The session aimed to raise awareness among participants to the issue of women’s underrepresentation in policymaking and legislative bodies, and to highlight the structural and institutional barriers contributing to this disparity. It further sought to the necessity of scaling women’s grassroots participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions to higher legislative bodies, thereby promoting inclusive governance and women’s political empowerment.
The session witnessed the esteemed presence of Prof. (Dr.) Alok Kumar Yadav, Prof. (Dr.) Abhishek Kumar Tiwari, Prof. (Dr.) Archana Singh, Dr. Shashi Prabha, and Dr. Anurodh Upadhyay, whose distinguished academic insights significantly enriched the deliberations on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023. The programme further saw enthusiastic participation from students, whose active engagement and thoughtful contributions facilitated the discussion aligned with the theme of the session.
The session witnessed deliberation by Ms. Kritika and Ms. Shivranjani representing the Pro Bono Club, and Ms. Rishita and Ms. Nimita representing the Legal Aid Centre. The speakers examined women’s underrepresentation in policymaking and legislative bodies, highlighting its social, cultural, and structural dimensions, and emphasised the need to advance women’s participation from Panchayati Raj Institutions to Parliament and State Legislatures. They further underscored the importance of ensuring equal participation in governance and the effective implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023. The interactive nature of the session encouraged active engagement, fostering meaningful and thought-provoking discourse.”
The session concluded with an emphasis on the need for sustained awareness, policy support, and active youth participation to advance women’s political empowerment.
