Dr Charu WaliKhanna

Ex-Member, Committee on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplaces (POSH) at Food Corporation of India. Current Member- POSH Committee Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) set up under the Department of Science & Technology (DST).

Practicing in the Supreme Court of India with expertise in the field of Company Law, Service law, Intellectual Property Rights, Human rights and law relating to women & children. Only advocate to have been honoured by Supreme Court Bar Association 12 times (2004-09 and in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020) Select Legal Interventions: 1. In the Supreme Court in Writ petition titled Charu WaliKhanna & Anr v UOI [WP (C)396/17]challenged Article 35A of the Constitution and Section 6 of the J&K Constitution as being violative of Article 14 of Constitution of India, and discriminatory on grounds of gender. 2. PIL in Supreme Court titled Youth Kamal Orgn Punjab v UOI [WP C)817/14] Lead Counsel in matter relating to farmer’s suicides in which court raised question on need to revisit the National Policy of Farmers 2007, and also observed that the Committee to monitor the implementation of the Dr. Swaminathan Report has met only five times from 2009 3. PIL in Supreme Court titled Social Action Forum & Anr v UOI & Anr [WP(C)73/15]to protect economically backward section women who are subjected to violence/cruelty in their matrimonial homes. On request of Supreme Court, drafted model guidelines. Matter decreed in favour. 4. Impleadment Application in Supreme Court in Rahul vs State of Delhi [SLP Crl 2264/15]on behalf of father of victim,who was gang raped in an inhuman and barbaric manner. Accused convicted for offences punishable under Sections 302, 376(2)(g), 365, 367 and 201 IPC read with Section 34 IPC and awarded capital punishment. 5. Paved way for recruitment of women in Territorial Army (TA) vide PIL titled Kush Kalra v UOI & Ors. The Delhi High Court held the words “any person” in section 6 of TA Act, shall include both men & women 6. PIL in High Court titled SAFMA v UOI [WP (C)6371/18]the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, which prescribes death sentence as punishment for rape/gang rape on girls under 12 years of age. Notice has been issued.

Speaker on “Need to provide a safety Net for Women Workers in the informal sector ’at Human Right Defence International (HRDI) on a Symposium ‘The slaughterhouse of Wombs” held on 30 Aug 2019 at Constitution Club, discussion in backdrop of news of 4542 women sugarcane cutter workers of Beed, Maharashtra who were compelled to remove their wombs to earn their livelihood. Speaker at NHRC’s One Day Meeting on ”One Stop Centre” on 26.09.2017 addressing senior officials from States of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Ministry of WCD, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Law and Justice, NALSA NGOs participated. Addressed NHRC interns at webinar on “Functioning and Procedure followed by the Local Complaints Committees under POSH” Counselled self-employed women in balancing domestic responsibilities and work In lecture series organised for NHRC by Indian Law Institute sensitised Magistrates on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Eminent Speaker on issues of Sexual harassment and Child Rights, at workshops organized throughout India by NHRC Speaker on intersecting issues of confinement and gender-based violence; Implications for women and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

I am part of Vital Voices Global Partnership which invests in women leaders. It is a network of 18,000 change makers across 182 countries, each of whom are daring to re-imagine a more equitable world for all

SAFMA is one of the only NGOs to be given Special Consultative status with ECOSOC of the UNITED NATIONS. Our objective is promotion & protection of human rights of vulnerable & marginalized sections of society; specially women & children. • To create an enabling safe working environment for women & increase their participation in the labour force, SAFMA conducted a study and submitted report on “Status and Functioning of Local Complaints Committees under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) and awareness levels among women in the work force”. Empirical research covered total 743 respondents in Delhi, Haryana, and Odisha. • POSH Online training for WildLife Conservation Society India attended by over 100 persons • In 2019, developed a Handbook for Women- “Chuppi Todo” in Hindi, Odiya and English on the law and redressal mechanism under the POSH Act 2013 benefitting about 2000 women. • To simplify the legal provisions available for the marginalized and vulnerable sections of the society, SAFMA has been developing Legal Literacy Self-Help Manuals in English, Hindi & regional languages (Tamil, Assamese, Bengali, Oriya & Gujarati). The Manuals are on broad themes of Property Rights, Labour & Land laws, Child Rights, Personal laws, laws relating to SC/ST and Intellectual Property Rights • Embrace the Change – A Women’s Initiative” developed in 2017-18 for Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). The handbook contains information on GENDER ISSUES (What is Gender and Gender stereotyping); LAWS RELATED TO WOMEN (women-specific legislation and women-related legislation); Labour laws & women; Laws providing Social security for women; laws relating to marriage & property of woman, Gender based violence; and Digital Empowerment for Women and exploring the world of internet. The book in English, Hindi and Telugu used in workshops, benefited 250 women.

In view of my extensive legal background & longstanding involvement with advocacy for women’s rights and entitlements, I undertook the following functions at NCW: • As Chairperson of 30 Inquiry Committees, investigated & examined matters relating to safeguards provided for women under the Constitution & other laws, ranging from rape to dowry death & killing of girls by natal family. • Possessing a judicial temperament; with patience, open-mindedness, tact, courage, & compassion and after applying the law to the facts, I have made recommendations to the Central/State Govt. Notable are the “GUIDELINES for Service Providers in case of rape/Sexual Assault” developed by me in my capacity as Member NCW. • Well versed in legal terminology, an accurate and efficient information recorder & researcher, and adept at handling inquiries from a variety of persons, including those that are possibly irate, I has been an asset to NCW. I have consistently exhibited exceptional organizational, verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with key stakeholders. • Involved in review of the existing provisions of the Constitution and other laws affecting women and recommended amendments. • Handling complaints on a daily basis, taking up cases of violation of the provisions of the Constitution and of other laws relating to women with the appropriate authorities. My ability to know and apply legal rules and procedures to different facts and circumstances has helped me contribute to the administration of justice by bringing thoroughness, good judgement and initiative to my role. • Involved in initiating of litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women notably 3 intervention applications which have been moved before Supreme Court on my behest as a result of the research undertaken during the writing of the book “Married but not Legally Wed”.

This was the first ever Doctorate degree conferred by Amity University on an Individual.

I was the batch topper