A five-day ‘Mahila Jan Sunwai’ (public hearing for women) is being conducted at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Chumukedima from March 9, initiated by the National Commission for Women in collaboration with the Nagaland State Commission for Women. This outreach initiative aims to address multiple issues faced by women, such as domestic violence, workplace sexual harassment, abandonment, maintenance disputes, molestation, and human trafficking. Kekhrienuo Meyase, a member of the Nagaland State Commission for Women, remarked that the event serves as both a grievance hearing platform and an awareness campaign about government support mechanisms available to women.
This national initiative, in which State Women Commissions are cooperative partners, emphasizes facilitating direct interaction between grassroots women, particularly from marginalized backgrounds, and authorities responsible for women’s rights protection. Implementation involves collaboration with various stakeholders including the district administration, District Legal Services Authority, Sakhi One Stop Centres, law enforcement, and women-centric departments.
Meyase highlighted domestic violence as a major concern in the state and underscored the importance of amplifying awareness regarding the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, known as the POSH Act. She advocated for strengthening awareness campaigns in educational institutions to ensure that women are informed about their rights and legal protections available.
The week-long public hearing initiative is designed to provide an accessible platform for women to voice grievances and seek institutional support. It addresses a wide range of complaints including those about domestic violence, workplace harassment, maternity benefits, abandonment, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based injustice. A critical aspect of the program is its commitment to prompt and efficient grievance redressal.
Dedicated benches consisting of members from the Nagaland State Commission for Women, district administration, District Legal Services Authority, law enforcement, legal experts, and protection officers have been established to facilitate the immediate processing of complaints. They are responsible for the registration and escalation of serious cases, providing legal advice, procedural support, and establishing follow-up mechanisms. Additionally, walk-in complaints are being accepted throughout the hearings, which conclude on March 13.
