Socio-Legal Dimensions of Gender -Curriculum

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Socio-Legal Dimensions of Gender

 

Class: 9th Semester, 5th Year

Code: 507

Course Coordinator: Swati Pandita (pandita.swati@gmail.com)

Unit-I

1. Gender as a social construct

2. Production of masculinity and femininity

 

Objective: This unit offers to examine in detail the narrative surrounding Gender. Students will be abreast with gender as a construct and what role society has in defining masculinity and femininity. The faculty will also discuss the difference between Gender and Sexuality.

Reference Material:

·         Swati Pandita, “Gender Neutrality of Indian Laws-AMyth or Reaity?”, FIMT Law Journal, Vol 5 Issue 1. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4123805

·         Moira Gatens, ―A Critique of the Sex/Gender Distinction‖ in A Phillips ed. FEMINISM AND SUBJECTIVITY, pp. 139-154

·         Usha Ramanathan, ―Images (1920-1950) Reasonable Man, Reasonable Woman and Reasonable Expectations‖ in Amita Dhanda, Archana Parashar (ed) ENGENDERING LAW, 4 pp. 33-70 (1999). Eastern Book Company. Available at < http://www.ielrc.org/content/a9906.pdf>

·         Kamla Bhasin, What is Patriarchy, Kali/Women Unlimited (2004)

·         Ved Kumari, ―Gender Analyses of Indian Penal Code‖ in Amita Dhanda, Archana Parashar (ed) ENGENDERING LAW Essays in Honour of Lotika Sarkar, pp.139-160 (1999). Eastern Book Company. Available at http://www.womenstudies.in/elib/crime_ag_women/ca_gender_analysis.pdf

·         Usha Tandon and Sidharth Luthra, ―Rape: Violation of the Chastity or Dignity of Woman? A Feminist Critique of Indian Law”, FICHL Policy Brief Series No. 51 (2016) available at< http://www.fichl.org/fileadmin/user_upload/160615_PBS_No._51__2016___Tandon__ Luthra_.pdf>

·         Soh, Debra. The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths about Sex and Identity in Our Society. Threshold Editions,2020. 

Unit-II

1. Power and Subordination

2. Socio-legal dimensions of Honour Killings

3. Socio-legal Dimensions of Witch-Hunting

Objective: This unit will examine the concept of Subordination and Power. The class would discuss the history of gender subordination and analyze how it is interconnected with gender bias. Other part of the unit will deal with Honor Crime and Witch Hunting. The faculty will discuss the social and legal dimensions of it.

Unit-III

1. Resistance and Movements

2. Gender in media and market

3. Socio-legal dimensions of the Third Gender

Objective: This unit will familiarize the students with various feminist resistance movements with special focus on Black and Dalit resistance movements to decolonize the syllabus.  Various types of feminism, feminist views on society, importance of feminism will be discussed. Different aspects of feminism like Cultural Feminism, Eco Feminism, Black Feminism, Material Feminism, Moderate Feminism, Liberal Feminism, Dual and Psychoanalytic Feminism, French Feminism,Modern feminism shall be explored in class. Faculty would alo discuss the contribution of feminists in modern world.

Faculty will also discuss the impact of mass media on gender roles. A detailed examination will be done with respect o influence of Social Media, Bollywood and Tollywood.

In the last part of the unit the class will discuss what a Transgender, Transman and Transwoman is. We will also critically analyze the legal framework to protect their rights and dignity with the help of recent case laws. Transgender – customs of transgender- issues and challenges-health issues-parental care-education-employment opportunities-case studies-government schemes for transgender-livelihood for transgender.

Reference Material:

  • Lotika Sarkar, ―Women’s Movement and the Legal Process‖ Occasional Paper 24, CWDS, Available at < http://www.cwds.ac.in/wpcontent/uploads/2016/09/WomensMovement.pdf>
  • Sharmila Rege, A Dalit Feminist Standpoint, in Gender and Caste 90-101 (Anupama Rao ed. 2005).
  • Catherine Rottenberg, The Rise of Neoliberal Feminism” in Cultural Studies, Nov. 18, 2013.  1-20, available at http://www.bgu.ac.il/~rottenbe/The%20rise%20of%20neoliberal%20feminism.pdf
  • Flavia Agnes, ‘The Supreme Court, Media and the UCC Debate’ in Religion, Power & Violence: Expression of Politics in Contemporary Times 225-247(Ram Punyani ed., Sage Publications 2005)

 

 

Unit-IV

1. Emerging trends with respect to LGBT Community

2. Socio-legal dimensions of Prostitution and Trafficking

Objective: This unit, the faculty will comparatively analyze the status of LGBT community in South East Asia, America and England. This would include the empirical analysis of atrocities on the community. A detailed discussion will be held on how to ‘Queer the Future.’

In the last part, social as well as legal aspects of trafficking and prostitution will be discussed.

Reference Material:

·         UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, 2011. Available at < http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Discrimination/Pages/LGBTUNResolutions.aspx>
·         Manusmriti , Macaulay's 1860 Penal Code, Neoliberal India, and Queer Cinematic Subjectivities. Available at: <i>Manusmriti</i> , Macaulay's 1860 Penal Code, Neoliberal India, and Queer Cinematic Subjectivities | Deb, Basuli | download (booksc.org)
·         Hindu Nation and Its Queers: Caste, Islamophobia, and De/coloniality in India. Available at: Hindu Nation and Its Queers: Caste, Islamophobia, and De/coloniality in India | Upadhyay, Nishant | download (booksc.org)
·         Defining the “queers” in India: The politics of academic representation. Available at: Defining the “queers” in India: The politics of academic representation | Dutoya, Virginie | download (booksc.org)
·         Paola Monzini, Sex Traffic: Prostitution, crime and exploitation( global issues), Zed Publications, 2005.  Available at:
·         Prostitution in Ancient India. Available at: Prostitution in Ancient India | Sukumari Bhattacharji | download (booksc.org)
·         Defining Prostitution and Redefining Women’s Roles: The Colonial State and Society in Early 19th Century India. Available at: Defining Prostitution and Redefining Women’s Roles: The Colonial State and Society in Early 19th Century India | Erica Wald | download (booksc.org)
·         Caste and Prostitution in India: Politics of Shame and of Exclusion. Available at: Caste and Prostitution in India: Politics of Shame and of Exclusion | Jha, Divyendu; Sharma, Tanya | download (booksc.org)
·         International approaches to prostitution Law and policy in Europe and Asia || Prostitution in India: laws, debates and responses. Available at: International approaches to prostitutionLaw and policy in Europe and Asia || Prostitution in India: laws, debates and responses | Gangoli, Geetanjali; Westmarland, Nicole | download (booksc.org)
·         The Pimping of Prostitution || Realities & Consequences of Legalisation Available at: The Pimping of Prostitution || Realities & Consequences of Legalisation | Bindel, Julie | download (booksc.org)
·         Prostitution: to decriminalise or to legalise. Available at: Prostitution: to decriminalise or to legalise | Umberto Tirelli; Michele Spina | download (booksc.org)
·         Supreme Court recognises prostitution as profession: What does this mean for sex workers (firstpost.com)
·         PROSTITUTION IN INDIA , T V Pillai doc.pdf (tiss.edu)

·         Judiciary, Social Reform and Debate on 'Religious Prostitution' in Colonial India by Kalpana Kannibran. Judiciary, Social Reform and Debate on 'Religious Prostitution' in Colonial India on JSTOR

 

 

Readings:

Statute-

1.    Constitution of India, 1950 (Jan. 26, 1950)

2.    Criminal Law (Amendment) Act (2013), No. 13 of 2013 (Apr. 2, 2013)

3.    Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance (2018), No. 2 of 2018 (Apr. 21, 2018)

4.    Criminal Procedure Code (1973), No. 2 Of 1974 (Jan. 25, 1974)

5.    Dissolution Of Muslim Marriages Act (1939), No. VIII of 1939 (Mar. 17, 1939)

6.    Equal Remuneration Act (1976), No. 25 of 1976 (Feb. 11, 1976) along with its amendments

7.    Guardian and Wards Act (1890), No. 8 of 1890 (Mar. 21, 1890)

8.    Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (1956), No. 104 of 1956 (Dec. 30, 1956)

9.    Indian Evidence Act (1872), No. 1 Of 1872 (Sep. 1, 1872)

10. Indian Penal Code (1860), No. 45 Of 1860 (Oct. 6, 1860)

11. Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act (1986), No. 25 of 1996 (May 19, 1986)

12. Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (1994), No. 57 of 1994 (Sep. 20, 1994) along with its amendments

13. Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act (2012), No. 32 of 2012 (June 19, 2012)

14. The Family Courts Act (1984), No. 66 of 1984 (Sep. 14, 1986)

15. The Hindu Marriage Act (1955), No. 25 of 1955 (May 18, 1955)

16. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (2015), No. 2 of 2016 (Dec. 31, 2015)

17. The Maternity Benefit Act (1961), No. 53 of 1961 (Dec. 12, 1961) along with its amendments

18. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (1971), No. 34 of 1971 (Aug. 10, 1971)

19. The Mental Healthcare Act (2017), No. 10 of 2017 (Apr. 7, 2017)

20. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006), No. 6 of 2007 (Jan. 10, 2007)

21. The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act (2005), Act No. 43 Of 2005 (Sep. 13, 2005)

22. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016), Act No. 49 Of 2016 (Dec. 27, 2016).

23. The Scheduled Castes and The Scheduled Tribes (Prevention Of Atrocities) Act (1989), No. 33 Of 1989 (Sep. 11, 1989)

24. The Scheduled Castes and The Scheduled Tribes (Prevention Of Atrocities) Amendment Act, (2015), No. 1 Of 2016 (Dec. 31, 2015)

25. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (2013), No. 14 of 2013 (Apr. 22, 2013)

 

Books-

1.    Sarla Gopalan, TOWARDS EQUALITY – THE UNFINISHED AGENDA – STATUS OF WOMEN IN INDIA 2001. National Commission for Women

2.    Amita Dhanda, Archana Parashar (ed) ENGENDERING LAW ESSAYS IN HONOUR OF LOTIKA SARKAR (1999). Eastern Book Depot

3.    Kalapana Kannabhiran (ed), WOMEN AND LAW CRITICAL FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES (Sage Publications India 2014)

4.    Usha Tandon (ed), Gender Justice: A reality or fragile myth (2015)

5.    Nivedita Menon, Is Feminism about ‘Women’? A Critical View on Intersectionality from India, International Viewpoint, 18 May  2015

6.    Gender Justice in India: A Feminist Jurisprudential Perspective by Shampa Dev

Case Laws-

1.  National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India, [(2014) 1 SCC 1]

2.  C.B. Muthamma v. Union of India, 1979(4)SCC 260

3.  Air India and others v. Nergesh Meerza, Sujata Sharma v. Manu Gupta, 2015 SCC OnLine Del 14424, decided on 22-12- 2015

4.  Richa Mishra v. State of Chhattisgarh, (2016) 4 SCC 179,

5.  Suresh Kumar Koushal and another v. Naz Foundation, Civil Appeal No.10972 of 2013 decided by the Supreme Court on 11 December 2013.

6.  Charu Khurana v. UOI ,WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO.78 OF 2013 decided by SC on November 10, 2014

7.  Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Female Workers (Muster Roll) and Another, (2000) 3 SCC 224. 

8.  Sabu Mathew George v. Union Of India & Ors., Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s).341/2008 in Supreme Court of India

9.  Vinod Soni v. UOI, 2005 Bombay High Court

10.   Air India and Others v. Nargesh Meerza 1982 SCR (1) 438

11.   Apparel Export Promotion Council v. A.K.Chopra AIR 1999 SC 625

12.   Arumugam Servai v. State of Tamil Nadu (2011) 6 SCC 405

13.   C.B. Muthamma v. Union of India 1979(4)SCC 260

14.   Javed and Others v. State of Haryana2003 (8) SCC 369

15.   Lata Singh v. State of UP AIR 2006 SC 2522

16.   Mahmood Farooqui v. State (judgment of Delhi High Court on Sep. 25, 2017

17.   Nyaydhar v. Union of India Ministry of Home Affairs and Others (judgment of the Supreme Court on Nov. 29, 2017)

18.   P.Geetha v. Kerela Livestock Development Board (2015) SCC Online Ker 71

19.   Rajesh Sharma v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Another2017 SCC OnLine SC    821

20.   Saroj Rani v. Sudarshan Kumar Chadha AIR 1984 SC 1562

21.   Shiv Kumar v. Union of India (Karnataka High Court judgment of 3 February 2014)

22.   Smt. Harvinder Kaur v. Harmander Singh Choudhry AIR 1984 Del 66

23.   T.Sareetha v. T. Venkata Subbaiah AIR 1983 AP 356

24.   Vasantha R v. Union of India and Others 2001 II LLJ 843(Mad) 99

25.   Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan (1997) 6 SCC 241

26.   Vishwa Lochan Madan v. Union of India (2014) 7 SCC 70

27.   V.Revathi v. Union of India and Others (1988) 2 SCC 72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PSDA Activities

Movies

My Brother Nikhil

I Am

Margarita with a straw

Gulaal

Mandi

Chandni Bar

Documentaries

Caged until 'broken': life for Mumbai's prostitutes - YouTube

 

The lives of sex workers and their children on G.B Road, New Delhi's biggest red-light district - YouTube

 

India's Child Sex Highway | 101 East Documentary - YouTube

 

Being LGBT in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan - YouTube

 

India's Trans Community Is Fighting for the Right to Work | Transnational - YouTube

 

India's Illegal Gay Prince | Love and Sex in India Documentary - YouTube

 

My Father Killed My Husband Pranay Only Because He Was a Dalit: Amrutha | The Quint - YouTube

 

Ugly History: Witch Hunts - Brian A. Pavlac - YouTube

 

India's Modern Day Witch Hunts​ - YouTube

 

What It's Like Being Declared a Witch in Modern India - YouTube

 

Caselaws Discussion

 

Debates/ Discussions

Hijab Ban

Sabrimala

Marital Rape

Abortion Rights

Uniform Civil Code

Paid Menstrual Leaves

Maternity benefit Laws

Sexual Harassment at Workplace

Age of Marriage

Population Control Bill

Public Spaces and Obscenity Laws

Surrogacy Laws

Male Sexual Abuse

 

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