Sóz Centre for Women’s Legal Assistance Launched at Bengaluru School
Bengaluru: The Sóz Centre for Legal Assistance to Women was inaugurated at Excellent English School in Bismillah Nagar, Bengaluru, marking the launch of a new initiative aimed at helping women deal with legal issues at home, at work, and in society.
The centre is an initiative of ReachLawyer Trust and functions under its Sóz programme. The programme focuses on spreading awareness about women’s legal rights and providing access to quality legal advice through a dedicated team of lawyers. ReachLawyer Trust also works to build professional skills among lawyers, especially those from marginalised and stigmatised communities.
The Sóz Centre at Excellent English School is the first of its kind under the programme. The school has extended full support to the initiative and has deputed staff to assist with its functioning. Women can approach or contact the centre on any day to seek legal clarifications and advice. The programme is especially designed for women who find it difficult to access legal support, understand their rights, or make informed choices while pursuing litigation.
The centre was inaugurated by B. T. Venkatesh, former State Public Prosecutor and founder of ReachLawyer. Addressing the gathering, Dr Benazeer Baig, founder of Excellent English School, spoke about the difficulties faced by women, particularly those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. She said the Sóz Centre would offer legal advice on a pro bono basis and assist women in securing their rights before courts at a fractional cost.
In his address, B. T. Venkatesh spoke about the rights assured to women under various laws and the gap between legal protections and their actual use. He said that while laws are strong and provide effective safeguards, many women are unable to access them. Referring to the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, he urged women to be confident, resist abuse, and seek legal remedies.
Dr Benazeer Baig, founder and director of Raza Educational Society and Excellent English School, expressed concern over the growing challenges faced by women within families and communities. She said discrimination and abuse are often treated as everyday realities and stressed the need for more centres like Sóz. She also highlighted the school’s role in supporting and participating in the programme.
Dr Kalpana Purushottaman, a counsellor, academician, and child rights activist, spoke about the importance of women speaking up, seeking legal advice, and standing firm to protect their rights. She assured her active involvement along with support from her students for the Sóz Centre in collaboration with the school.
Advocate and activist Akhila Vidyasandra highlighted the challenges women face and underlined the need for women to assert their rights and seek legal protection.
A team of lawyers from ReachLawyer, including Aparna, Tuba Sanobar, Nitin Bubberjung, Ravi, Shankar, N. K. Vinoda, and Mubarak, along with counsellors from the Indian Institute of Psychological Research, took part in consultations and interacted with women seeking legal assistance.
The programme was well attended, with several women seeking guidance. The initiative also served as a platform for women to understand basic legal protections available to safeguard their rights.
Contact details:
Call or WhatsApp:
Nitin Bubberjung: 9036089137
Tuba Sanobar: 9689295684
Kufciya: 8884701964
Email: speak2soz@gmail.com
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Curfew relaxed in Meghalaya's Garo Hills for church services
Shillong (PTI): The curfew in Meghalaya's Garo Hills, imposed in the wake of recent violence that claimed two lives, was relaxed for 12 hours on Sunday for church services, officials said.
West Garo Hills District Magistrate Vibhor Agarwal, in an order, said the curfew will remain in force for 24 hours from 6 am on March 15, unless withdrawn earlier but a 12-hour relaxation from 6 am to 6 pm has been allowed to facilitate public movement to attend church services and other essential activities.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the BNSS, said incidents of violence in various parts of the district posed a serious threat to human life, public safety and property, making it necessary to continue preventive measures.
Authorities said that no person shall move outside their residence during the curfew hours and any violation would attract penal action under Section 223 of the BNS and other provisions.
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East Garo Hills District Magistrate R P Marak, in a notification, said the curfew will remain relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm on March 15 to allow residents to attend church services.
However, authorities said Williamnagar Main Bazaar will remain closed during the relaxation period.
Personnel engaged in essential services such as police, ambulance, electricity and water supply, fire and emergency services, and on-duty government officials and media personnel will continue to remain exempted from the curfew restrictions, officials said.
Curfew was imposed following protests over the issue of the eligibility of candidates in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) polls.
The protests saw incidents of arson, vandalism and clashes, resulting in the death of at least two persons and injuries to several others, while a number of shops, establishments and vehicles were damaged.
In view of the prevailing law and order situation, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the postponement of the GHADC elections that were scheduled to be held on April 10.
