NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar urges DU women to lead with self-confidence
Synopsis
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar took the Commission's 'Udaan' programme to Delhi University's non-collegiate women students, stressing self-confidence and POSH awareness across five colleges in a single day — a direct outreach to a segment of young women who often fall outside mainstream institutional support.
Key Takeaways
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar addressed non-collegiate women students at Miranda House, University of Delhi on 11 October .
The session was part of the 'Udaan' initiative, themed around self-belief, skill development, and POSH Act awareness for women in the workplace.
Programmes were held at five venues: Miranda House , Vivekananda College , Bharati College , Janki Devi Memorial College , and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar College .
Nearly 150 students aged 18–24 and 9 faculty members participated in the Faculty of Social Sciences session alone.
Sessions covered self-belief, personal growth, cyber security, digital awareness , and workplace safety rights.
National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Sunday, 11 October addressed non-collegiate women students of the University of Delhi at Miranda House, telling them that self-motivation, self-confidence, and a hunger to learn are the foundational pillars of lasting success.
What Rahatkar Told the Students
Speaking at a Self-Building, Skill Development, and POSH Awareness Programme held under the theme 'Udaan – Sapne Bade Hon, Raaste Aneka Hon' (May Dreams Be Grand, May Paths Be Many), Rahatkar said: 'When daughters believe in themselves and persistently strive toward their goals, they not only shape their own future but also become inspirations for change in society.' She urged the students to recognise their abilities, build new skills, and seize every available opportunity to pursue their aspirations.
About the Udaan Initiative
The NCW is rolling out its 'Udaan' programme series across multiple Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board (NCWEB) centres of the University of Delhi. The initiative is designed to raise awareness among women students on three core areas: self-development, future-ready skills, and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, which governs workplace safety for women. Through these sessions, the NCW aims to equip students with the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate professional environments safely and independently.
Key Sessions and Venues
As part of the programme, the NCW conducted a Self-Building and Skill Development session for NCWEB students at Vivekananda College, Jhilmil Colony, with a focused emphasis on self-belief, personal growth, cyber security, and digital awareness — skills increasingly critical in today's job market.
A separate self-development session was held at Bharati College, New Delhi, reinforcing the same 'Udaan' theme. The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Delhi also hosted a programme attended by nearly 150 students aged 18 to 24 and 9 faculty members. The session featured Nestology Founder Vartika and Counselling Psychologist Meena as resource persons, who guided participants on self-development and future skill acquisition.
Comparable programmes were simultaneously held at Janki Devi Memorial College and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar College, both under the University of Delhi, broadening the reach of the initiative across the capital's student community.
Broader Context and Significance
The 'Udaan' series reflects the NCW's wider push to engage directly with young women in non-formal or semi-formal educational streams — a segment that often receives fewer institutional resources than regular-college students. By bringing skill-development programming to NCWEB centres, the Commission is targeting women who balance education with domestic or economic responsibilities. This comes amid a growing policy emphasis in India on female workforce participation and digital literacy as key drivers of inclusive growth. The sessions' focus on POSH awareness is particularly relevant, as research continues to highlight gaps in workplace harassment reporting among young women entering the formal sector for the first time.
Point of View
But the real measure will be whether one-day skill workshops translate into sustained support structures for NCWEB students — many of whom juggle education with financial or domestic pressures. Awareness of the POSH Act is necessary but insufficient without accessible redressal mechanisms in the workplaces these women will enter. The decision to target non-collegiate centres rather than mainstream campuses is notable and deserves more policy attention: this demographic is consistently undercounted in skilling data. If the Commission follows up with mentorship pipelines and placement linkages, 'Udaan' could be more than a headline programme.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCW's 'Udaan' programme?
'Udaan' is a National Commission for Women initiative that conducts self-building, skill development, and POSH Act awareness sessions for non-collegiate women students at University of Delhi's NCWEB centres. The programme aims to boost self-confidence, digital literacy, and knowledge of workplace safety rights among young women.
What did NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar say at Miranda House?
Rahatkar told students that self-motivation, self-confidence, and a desire to learn are the true strengths behind success. She said: 'When daughters believe in themselves and persistently strive toward their goals, they not only shape their own future but also become inspirations for change in society.'
Which colleges in Delhi hosted the Udaan programme?
The programme was held across Miranda House, Vivekananda College (Jhilmil Colony), Bharati College, the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Delhi, Janki Devi Memorial College, and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar College, all on 11 October.
What is the POSH Act, and why was it part of the session?
The Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act mandates that workplaces in India have mechanisms to prevent and redress sexual harassment. The NCW included POSH awareness in the 'Udaan' sessions to prepare women students for their rights and safety before they enter the workforce.
Who were the resource persons at the University of Delhi Faculty of Social Sciences session?
Nestology Founder Vartika and Counselling Psychologist Meena served as resource persons at the Faculty of Social Sciences session, guiding nearly 150 students aged 18 to 24 on self-development and future skills.
