Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Vijaya Rahatkar today said that the country has strong laws to ensure the safety and dignity of women and advised every woman to exercise their rights under the law. Addressing a workshop on Women-Centric Issues and Empowerment Initiatives, organised by Akashvani in New Delhi, she emphasised the need for gender sensitisation.

 

Mrs Rahatkar asserted that equal opportunity and equal respect must be ensured for both men and women. Mentioning key legislations such as the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 and laws addressing domestic violence, the NCW chairperson pointed out that lack of awareness about these laws often prevents women from seeking justice.

 

She also underlined the importance of Internal Committees under the POSH Act and said that their role is not limited to addressing complaints but also includes creating a safe, secure and respectful workplace environment. Mrs Rahatkar called for better infrastructure, awareness and trust-building measures so that women can report issues without fear.

 

Addressing the gathering, Director General of News Services Division of Akashvani, Dhiraj M. Kakadia said that the workplace must remain safe and just, with zero tolerance for exploitation. He assured every woman that their complaints will be addressed through due process. He also urged women to raise genuine issues without fear, noting that misuse of legal provisions and false complaints weaken the credibility of real victims and the justice system.

He announced that Akashvani will launch a joint initiative with the National Commission for Women to spread legal awareness on women’s empowerment through a dedicated series.