ETHICS AND MORALITY IN GLOBAL LEGAL STUDIES: IMPACT ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA

The moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice, and it is our ethical duty to ensure that this bend uplifts and empowers women in every corner of the globe." - Michelle Obama Morality and ethics in global legal studies encompass the examination of universal principles guiding human conduct within legal frameworks worldwide. They dictate the ethical responsibilities of legal professionals, influence legislative decisions, and shape policies aimed at fostering justice, equality, and human rights on a global scale. Moral and ethical practices in the Indian education system traces back to ancient times, with emphasis placed on virtues like dharma (righteousness) and karma (action). The Vedas and Upanishads imparted moral values alongside academic knowledge. During the Maurya and Gupta periods, education centres like Takshashila and Nalanda integrated ethics into their curricula. The medieval era witnessed Bhakti and Sufi movements, which further emphasized the moral conduct and social justice. However, the colonial rule period introduced Western education system, but often neglected moral teachings. The post-independence era, efforts to revive ethical education have been ongoing, aiming to infuse moral values alongside academic learning. Righteous and conscientious approach under legal studies is pivotal in shaping policies that advance women's empowerment in India. Ensuring gender equity in laws and their enforcement fosters social justice. Upholding ethical standards within legal frameworks is essential for dismantling systemic barriers and promoting equality, thus empowering women. This research paper by delving into the ethical dimensions of global legal studies and its profound implications for women's empowerment in India, sheds light on the moral imperatives guiding legislative decisions and policy implementations. Drawing from a descriptive-normative inductive reasoning approach, the research explores how ethical considerations embedded within legal systems influence societal a itudes and behaviours towards gender equality and women's rights. Through explanatory, ethnographic phenomenology qualitative research based on methods of descriptive-normative inductive reasoning, the researcher has examined and relied upon relevant literature review, conference proceedings, journals, contemporary case studies and historical precedents to elucidates the intricate relationship between ethical principles and the promotion of women's empowerment and also underscores the importance of integrating ethical education within legal curricula to cultivate a values-based approach towards gender justice and inclusivity. The paper also examines the challenges and opportunities inherent in aligning ethical practices with legal frameworks to enhance women's empowerment in India. It discusses the complexities of navigating cultural norms, institutional biases, and power dynamics that shape legal systems and influence gender relations. Ultimately, this research contributes to ongoing discourse on the ethical dimensions of global legal studies and underscores the imperative of ethical considerations in advancing women's empowerment. By illuminating innovative strategies, recommendations and practices the research work offers vision into transformative approaches to address gender disparities, promote equitable, inclusive society and sustainable development in India and beyond, by application of principled and virtuous global legal studies.

• Ethics
• Morality
• Legal
• Women
• Empowerment

• Dr. Brinda Gobind Gurbuxani, Faculty, Kishinchand Chellaram Law College, Mumbai

Dr. Brinda Gobind Gurbuxani, “ETHICS AND MORALITY IN GLOBAL LEGAL STUDIES: IMPACT ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA,” IPEM Law Journal, vol. 8, pp. 32–36, Dec. 2024, doi:

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