Synopsis In the early years of post-Independence India, the role of law and legal reforms in ensuring greater gender justice in society was perceived as non-ambivalent and positive. The picture is no longer so clear cut. Analysis of recent experience suggests that in the hands of a patriarchal state machinery, legislation, can indeed reinforce the social subjugation of women. This collection of papers which was originally presented in a national seminar on 'Women and Law' traverses the complex interface of law, tradition and culture to explore the potential of law as an instrument of social engineering. It also opens up new dimensions in the legal discourse on gender such as in the area of women's health and institutionalisation of women.