*Event starts with lightning of the lamp

We hereby begin our event with the auspicious lightning of the lamp.

Good morning!

We welcome you all and are excited to see so many participants attending in person as
well as online, and our esteemed guest speakers who are dedicated to fight for the cause
of seeking justice. As a courtesy to others, we kindly ask that you please silence or turn
off your cell phones here in the conference room.

Welcome to the National Workshop and Panel Discussion on "My Body My Choice -
Reproductive Autonomy and Rights of Women in India". As renowned Indian feminist
and social activist, Kamla Bhasin once said, "Women's bodies have been sexualized,
objectified, and controlled for too long. It's time to reclaim autonomy and rights over
our own bodies." This event aims to foster dialogue and awareness on the critical issues
surrounding reproductive rights in India, highlighting the importance of women's
autonomy and empowerment in decision-making concerning their bodies. Join us in
advocating for change and advancing women's rights.

Good Morning to all our esteemed dignitaries and participants present here! I_____
and I _____, on behalf of Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai have the
honor of ANCHORING today's program. This is a one day session organised by The
Centre for Women, Child Rights, and Gender Justice, in collaboration with the Centre
for Research in Public Law, Policy and Jurisprudence, Majlis a legal Centre for Women a
d children and Public Concerns for Governance Trust (PCGT), in an engaging and
informative National Workshop And Panel Discussion On "My Body My Choice -
Reproductive Autonomy And Rights Of Women In India "

This workshop aims to provide a vital platform for in-depth discussions on pressing
issues concerning women's reproductive rights. By fostering dialogue and
understanding, we seek to contribute to the improvement of policies and practices
surrounding women's autonomy over their bodies. Join us in shaping a future where
every woman has the agency to make decisions about her own body .

The Centre for Women, Child Rights, and Gender Justice has always been committed to
fostering an environment of inclusivity and justice. Recognizing the importance of
environmental responsibility, our centre is taking a significant step towards
sustainability in event management.

To begin with the program, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the
dignitaries present here with us. - Honourable Chief Guest, Adv. Flavia Agnes, Founder
of Majlis Law and Respected Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Dilip Ukey, our Honourable
Registrar sir, Dr pratapsinh Salunkhe, and all our respected faculty members and
attendees were present for this event.

About MNLU

Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, established in the year 2014, is one of
the premier National Law Universities in India. Hon’ble Mr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud,
Supreme Court of India, is the Chancellor of the University, who not only guides but also
inspires the institution with his novel ideas and rich experience in the field of law. Prof.
Dr. Dilip Ukey, a renowned academician in law with varied experience in teaching and
research, is our luminary. Our Pillar, Our registrar in charge, Dr. Pratap Singh
Salunekhe supports us through his vast network, resources, and administerial legal
practice experience.

About CWCRGJ

The Centre for Women, Child Rights, and Gender Justice (CWCRGJ) is a premier
Research Centre of MNLU Mumbai. The CWCRGJ was established on 8th March 2021
and was inaugurated by Hon'ble Member of Parliament Mrs Supriya Sule. Adhering to
the motto of MNLU Mumbai: Dharma Tatparta, the Centre is committed to
championing the cause of social justice through gender justice. The Centre has done
holistic collaborations with the UN Women, National Commission for Women, National
Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NGOs and various organizations, so as to
render true service to society and spread awareness.

About CPLPJ

The Centre for Research in Public Law, Policy and Jurisprudence is dedicated to
advancing critical research and interdisciplinary dialogue in public law. With a focus on
constitutional, administrative, environmental, and human rights law, it serves as a
platform for legal scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in rigorous
academic exploration. Through research programs, seminars, and collaborations with
governmental and non-governmental organizations, the Centre aims to address
contemporary legal issues, generate innovative solutions, and shape public policy and
legal frameworks both nationally and internationally.

About PCGT

Public Concerns for Governance Trust is a registered trust founded in the year 2002 by
Shri J. F. Ribeiro, Dr. R. K. Anand and the late Shri B. G. Deshmukh in order to promote
transparency and accountability in governance and to inculcate values and enhance
Sadbhavana in citizens.

About Majlis

Majlis founded in 1991 is a team of women lawyers, social workers, academicians and
activists who work for the protection and promotion of women and children’s rights
through legal representation, advocacy and training.

Majlis’ Rahat offers legal and social support to women and children victims of sexual
and domestic violence.

Majlis’ Flavia Agnes Centre for Learning is a multi-disciplinary hub for advancing
knowledge, promoting research and fostering discourse on the intersection of gender,
law and society.
* Welcome Address by Dr. Pratapsinh Salunke, Registrar I/c MNLU Mumbai

I would now like to request our honorable registrar Dr pratapsinh salunke to deliver the
welcome address and enlighten us with his words of wisdom.

-Registrars address-

-APPLAUSE-

Thank You sir for your insightful and inspiring words. Your presence today is greatly
appreciated, and we look forward to the continued success of our proceedings with your
guidance. We now request you to felicitate our hon’ble chief guest, Adv. Flyvia Agnes,
Founder of Majlis Law.

-applause-

It is my honor today to introduce you all to our chief guest today, Adv. Flyvia Agnes

Adv. Flavia Agnes

Flavia Agnes is a trailblazing legal advocate and champion of women's rights in India.
With over three decades of experience as a lawyer at the High Court of Mumbai, she has
dedicated her career to combating gender-based violence and discrimination. Growing
up in the small village of Kadri, Agnes overcame personal adversity, including abusive
marriage, to become a prominent figure in the fight for gender equality.

She was part of the Forum Against Oppression of Women (FAOW) and later
establishing the Majlis NGO, Agnes has been instrumental in providing legal assistance
and advocacy for thousands of women. Her expertise in marriage law, divorces, and
property rights, coupled with her extensive publications and consultations, has made
her a respected authority on women's rights issues. Recognized with the prestigious "Dr.
Asghar Ali Engineer Lifetime Achievement Award," Agnes continues to inspire and
empower individuals through her advocacy, education, and activism, leaving an
indelible impact on the pursuit of justice and equality.

We now welcome you to grace the podium and share your valuable insights.
 - Address -

Thank you ma’am for your inspirational words and illuminating us with your experience
and insights. Your zeal has motivated and encouraged us to further the cause of justice.

We welcome you now, to an engaging workshop that delves into the intricacies of
Reproductive Autonomy And Rights Of Women In India.

Our Moderator for this discussion is Adv. Audrey D’mello.

Adv. Audrey D'mello is a woman and child rights lawyer and is currently the Director of
Majlis (an NGO that works with vulnerable victims of violence). For the past 15 years,
Audrey has provided legal and social support to women and children in cases of sexual
and domestic violence. Her work on effective implementation of the law has helped
marginalized women and children access justice.

Setting the context and then inviting the speakers on stage

Rashi to introduce all the speakers

I'm delighted to introduce our esteemed panelists and moderator who will share their
insights and expertise on the topic.

Dr. Amar Jesani

Amar Jesani is an independent researcher and teacher in bioethics and public health.
He is a co-founder of the Forum for Medical Ethics Society and its journal, Indian
Journal of Medical Ethics, published since 1993, and since 2012 its editor. He is a
Visiting Professor at Yenepoya University, Mangalore (since 2011).

Adv. Abha Singh

Adv Abha Singh is a prominent activist and advocate based in the High Court of
Judicature at Bombay, renowned for her relentless pursuit of justice and commitment to
advancing women's rights. With a distinguished background in the Indian Postal
Service, where she pioneered innovative initiatives to serve remote communities, Singh
transitioned to law to advocate for the marginalized and vulnerable.

Throughout her career, Singh has been instrumental in landmark legal battles, from
championing women's empowerment to fighting against cyber-stalking and advocating
for LGBTQIA+ rights. Her tireless efforts extend beyond the courtroom, as she actively
engages in hosting seminars, roundtable discussions, and radio shows to raise
awareness and provide legal aid.

Our next panelist is Adv. Anubha Rastogi.

Adv. Anubha Rastogi is a practicing lawyer based in Mumbai. She has over 20 years of
experience and has worked extensively on the use of law for enhancing the access and
understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Indian context. While
her focus has been women’s rights, she also deals with broader issues pertaining to
general human rights concerns. She has a wide variety of practice and is a Special
Prosecutor for SEBI amongst other things.

Our final panelist is Dr. Suchitra Dalvie.

Dr. Suchitra Dalvie, MD, MRCOG, is a prominent advocate for women's autonomy and
reproductive rights. With over two decades of experience in sexual and reproductive
health, she co-founded the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership, driving efforts to ensure safe
and legal abortion access in Asia. Dr. Dalvie is a leading figure in the global political
movement, SheDecides, which fights for every woman's right to decide her own future.
Since its inception in 2017, SheDecides has been a powerful force in advocating for
women's autonomy and agency over their bodies and lives, with Dr. Dalvie playing a
pivotal role in its leadership and impact.

We appreciate the depth of knowledge and expertise you brought to the workshop
through your speech. Thank you for your inspiring words

Let's now move on to our panel discussion segment, where we'll explore various aspects
of our workshop's theme.
Vote of thanks
As we conclude this insightful workshop and panel discussions, it is my privilege to
extend heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for contributing to the success of this event.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank our chief guest for today Adv. Flavia
Agnes– for Enlightening us with her words of wisdom and from her practical
experiences, champion of justice and equality, tirelessly wielding the torch of legal
advocacy for women without charge.

Moving forward, we extend our gratitude to - Adv. Abha Singh, Dr. Amar Jesani, the
esteemed panelists - Adv. Audrey D'mello, Adv. Anubha Rastogi, and Dr. Suchitra Dalvi.
Your diverse perspectives and expertise have added immense value to today’s
discussions.

Our sincere appreciation to our Honorable Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dilip Ukey for his
encouragement and unwavering support. We express our gratitude to the esteemed
Registrar, Prof. Pratapsinh Salunke, for taking time from his busy schedule and
delivering the welcome address.

Respected Faculty Convenor, Asst. Prof. Shraddha Gaikwad, Faculty Coordinator, Majlis
Law, Centre for Research in Public Law, Policy and Jurisprudence, Dr. Sampada J.
Kangane and the Public Concern for Governance Trust – your unwavering support has
been the cornerstone of the success of today's workshop. A special mention to advocate
Audrey D'mello for her relentless assistance. Our heartfelt thanks to all the trustees and
office bearers of PCGT for their invaluable contribution.

A heartfelt thank you to the teaching and non-teaching staff, and the technical team led
by Manohar Sir for their efforts behind the scenes. Thanks to all MNLU students and
volunteers for executing this workshop seamlessly.

And lastly thank you to our patient audience, thank you for investing your valuable time
today. We look forward to future collaborations and continued engagement with you for
the pursuit of justice and welfare.

As a part of our green initiative, participation certificates will be sent across online.

You are now welcome to proceed to lunch.

We request you to join us in our green initiative and ensure no food wastage, and keep
the plates clean as they need to be recycled.

Thank you everyone!