NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar leads women empowerment, cyber crime talks in Maharashtra
Synopsis
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar's two-day Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar visit combined a poetry evening, police capacity-building, and an AI tool session — an unusually layered approach to women's safety that goes beyond routine awareness drives and puts state police training at the centre of gender-justice delivery.
Key Takeaways
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar concluded a two-day visit to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on 22 August .
The visit included the 'Nari Hunkar' Kavyasandhya , the 'Shakti and Suraksha' police capacity-building programme, and a Yashoda AI session.
Poetesses Kavita Tiwari , Sonal Jain , Deepa Saini , and Sarita Jain performed at the Nari Hunkar event.
The initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women .
Rahatkar also shared messages on women's agency and marriage on X (formerly Twitter) during the visit.
National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Saturday, 22 August led a series of discussions on women's empowerment and cyber crime prevention at a capacity-building programme for Maharashtra Police officers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The two-day visit, conducted in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, brought together policing, poetry, and artificial intelligence under a single initiative aimed at strengthening women's safety frameworks.
Key Programmes of the Visit
Rahatkar's visit encompassed three distinct activities: the 'Nari Hunkar' Kavyasandhya — a poetry evening celebrating women's voices — the 'Shakti and Suraksha' capacity-building programme for Maharashtra Police officers, and a session on Yashoda AI, a technology tool integrated into the initiative. The combination signals a broader push to embed both cultural messaging and technological tools into women's safety efforts at the state level.
Nari Hunkar: Poetry as a Tool for Change
The 'Nari Hunkar' evening featured performances by noted poetesses Kavita Tiwari, Sonal Jain, Deepa Saini, and Sarita Jain, whose compositions drew on themes of social justice, sensitivity, and humour. According to an NCW statement, the event 'transformed the entire ambiance into a realm of poetry,' blending incisive thought with vigorous expression.
Rahatkar underscored the role of creative expression in driving social transformation. 'Words have the power to change society. Poetry is not merely an expression of emotions; it is a powerful medium for reaching ideas to every individual, giving voice to sensitivities, and awakening the consciousness of positive change,' she said. She described the evening as 'a beautiful example of this very power.'
What Rahatkar Said on X
Separately, Rahatkar used her X (formerly Twitter) handle to share perspectives on marriage and women's agency. On the institution of marriage, she wrote: 'Marriage is not the name of Perfection, but of Patience! Marriage is not merely living together under one roof, but understanding each other and walking together at every stage of life. When dialogue begins even before marriage, this journey of relationships becomes even easier and stronger.'
On women's aspirations, she posted: 'Strong women don't need permission, they need possibilities. Every woman deserves the freedom to dream, grow and create her own path. Let's support women with equal opportunities, respect and the confidence to achieve their goals.'
Broader Context and What Comes Next
This initiative is part of a wider NCW mandate to work directly with state machinery on gender-sensitive policing, particularly as cyber crimes targeting women — including online harassment, morphed imagery, and financial fraud — have risen sharply across Maharashtra. This is the latest in a series of state-level capacity-building drives the NCW has undertaken in 2025. How effectively the 'Shakti and Suraksha' training translates into ground-level policing outcomes will be closely watched by women's rights groups in the region.
Point of View
Police training, and AI in a single two-day visit is an ambitious framing — but the real measure of impact lies in the 'Shakti and Suraksha' component, not the optics. Maharashtra has seen a documented rise in cyber crimes against women, and capacity-building workshops are only as effective as the institutional follow-through they generate. The NCW's decision to embed a technology session (Yashoda AI) alongside cultural programming is noteworthy, but without outcome metrics or mandatory training mandates, such visits risk remaining symbolic. The question women's rights groups will rightly ask is: what changes in the FIR room after the poetry fades?
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar's visit to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar?
Rahatkar visited Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on 21-22 August to lead discussions on women's empowerment and cyber crime prevention as part of a capacity-building programme for Maharashtra Police officers. The visit was organised in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women.
What is the 'Shakti and Suraksha' programme?
It is a capacity-building initiative for Maharashtra Police officers focused on gender-sensitive policing, women's empowerment, and cyber crime prevention. It was conducted during Rahatkar's two-day visit as part of a broader NCW-led effort to strengthen state-level women's safety frameworks.
What happened at the 'Nari Hunkar' Kavyasandhya?
The 'Nari Hunkar' Kavyasandhya was a poetry evening featuring performances by noted poetesses Kavita Tiwari, Sonal Jain, Deepa Saini, and Sarita Jain. Rahatkar described it as a powerful medium for spreading the message of women's empowerment, respect, and equality.
What did Vijaya Rahatkar post on X during the visit?
Rahatkar shared two posts on X — one on the importance of patience and dialogue in marriage, and another encouraging women to pursue their dreams without seeking permission. She wrote: 'Strong women don't need permission, they need possibilities.'
Why is cyber crime prevention a focus for the NCW in Maharashtra?
Cyber crimes targeting women — including online harassment, morphed imagery, and financial fraud — have been rising across Maharashtra. The NCW has been conducting state-level capacity-building drives to equip police officers with the tools and awareness needed to address these offences more effectively.
