Mahila Jan Sunwai aims at enabling women to voice grievances and seek support directly
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 7
Marking International Women’s Day, the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) is set to organise Mahila Jan Sunwai (public hearings) in 12 districts across the state from March 9 to 13.
Informing this during a press conference at its office on March 8, NSCW Chairperson Nginyeih Konyak said the outreach programme aims to provide women with a direct and accessible platform to raise grievances and seek institutional support, reinforcing the collective commitment towards women’s safety, dignity and access to justice.
“Through this coordinated effort, complaints related to domestic violence, workplace harassment, maternity benefits, abandonment, trafficking and other forms of gender-based injustice will be addressed,” she added.
The week-long nationwide public hearing drive, initiated by the National Commission for Women, seeks to provide women with a direct and accessible platform to voice their grievances and seek institutional support.
Swift grievance redressal
A key focus of the Mahila Jan Sunwai, as informed, will be ensuring time-bound and swift grievance redressal. Dedicated benches will be set up in each district comprising representatives from the NSCW, district administration, police authorities, the District Legal Services Authority (DALSA), legal experts and protection officers.
The team will facilitate immediate registration and examination of complaints, refer serious cases to the appropriate authorities, and provide legal guidance, procedural assistance and time-bound follow-up.
Additionally, walk-in complaints will also be received and taken up during the hearings.
According to Konyak, the initiative aims to bring grievance redressal mechanisms closer to the grassroots, particularly for women in rural and remote areas, enabling them to access prompt institutional support without procedural delays.
Moving beyond symbolic celebration
The NSCW stated that the Mahila Jan Sunwai reflects a vision of moving beyond symbolic celebrations towards tangible justice delivery and empowerment, underscoring the shared resolve of national and state institutions to create safer and more responsive systems for women across India.
Meanwhile, the district-wise hearings will be held at the respective Deputy Commissioners’ Conference Halls on March 9 in Tuensang, Zunheboto, Tseminyu and Wokha; on March 10 in Mokokchung and Niuland; on March 11 in Chümoukedima; on March 12 in Longleng and Peren; and on March 13 in Mon, Kohima and Dimapur.
