120-plus law students trained on disability rights and access to justice

NT Reporter

Panaji

More than 120 law students, legal professionals and women with disabilities gathered at the New District and Sessions Court Complex for a day-long programme titled ‘Disability Rights Are Human Rights’, aimed at strengthening awareness on access to justice for women and girls with disabilities.

All facilitators, who guided future lawyers on issues of justice and rights, were women with visible and invisible disabilities. They shared their experiences at the legal training programme along
with legal expertise.

“Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, both women and persons with disabilities are entitled to free legal aid irrespective of income,” said Shantashri S Sinai Kudchadkar, secretary of the North Goa District Legal Services Authority.

Nidhi Goyal, founder and executive director of Rising Flame, said, “Building awareness and sensitivity among future lawyers is key to ensuring women with disabilities are able to claim their rights.”

Taha Haaziq, secretary in the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, urged law students to recognise their responsibility in strengthening equality, dignity and access to justice for persons with disabilities.

The training featured sessions on laws affec-
ting women with disabilities, including the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.