DNLU Jabalpur Hosts National E-Conference on “Elderly Women and Law: Rights, Care and Dignity” on International Women’s Day 2026

08th March 2026, Jabalpur – Marking International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur organised a National E-Conference on the theme “Elderly Women and Law: Rights, Care and Dignity.” The event was conducted by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies and Research (CSLSR) of the university and brought together scholars, students and experts from across India and abroad to deliberate on the legal and social challenges faced by elderly women.

The conference was conceptualised under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Vice-Chancellor of DNLU Jabalpur, and was organised with the constant encouragement and support of Dr. Praveen Tripathi, Registrar of the university. The initiative aimed to create a platform for meaningful academic dialogue on the rights, care and dignity of older women within the framework of law and social policy.

Experts Highlight Need for Stronger Legal and Social Protection

The Chief Guest for the conference was Ms. Jyotika Kalra, Former Member of the National Human Rights Commission and Advocate-on-Record with the Supreme Court of India. Addressing the gathering, she emphasised the urgent need to strengthen legal protection, respect and social support mechanisms for elderly women in India. Her address highlighted the importance of ensuring dignity, safety and recognition of older women’s rights within society and the legal system.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Mala Kapur Shankardas, Former Professor at Delhi University. In her speech, she discussed the socio-legal issues affecting elderly women and underscored the necessity of policy reforms and institutional measures to address the growing challenges faced by aging women in India.

Participation from Over 70 Institutions Across India

The National E-Conference witnessed enthusiastic participation from scholars representing more than 70 higher educational institutions across India. Participants included students and researchers from Central Universities, National Law Universities, State Universities, Private Universities and reputed colleges.

Representatives from several premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management Rohtak, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and Indira Gandhi National Open University were also present. The event also saw international engagement from Queen's University Belfast, highlighting the global relevance of discussions surrounding elderly women’s rights and legal protection.

Over 110 Research Papers Presented in Technical Sessions

The conference featured two academic sessions comprising four distinguished expert talks, along with ten parallel technical sessions. During these sessions, more than 110 participants from 18 different states across India presented research papers under four sub-themes related to the conference topic, reflecting a wide range of interdisciplinary perspectives on elderly women and the law.

The event concluded with a valedictory address by Dr. Praveen Tripathi, Registrar of DNLU Jabalpur. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Deeplaxmi Chile, Assistant Professor and Director/Convenor of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies and Research (CSLSR).

The conference recorded a large number of registrations and active participation, making it a significant academic initiative on International Women’s Day 2026. It concluded with a collective resolve to continue academic discourse and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the rights, social protection and dignity of elderly women while promoting research and awareness on the subject.