NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar marks 2 years, vows to expand women's justice reach
Synopsis
Two years into her tenure, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has listed a dozen outreach programmes — from AI-driven tools to public hearings — and promised to push harder in year three to reach women locked out of the justice system. The message, posted on X in Hindi, underlines an intent to take the Commission beyond urban centres to where barriers are highest.
Key Takeaways
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar completed two years in office on 22 October 2026 .
She posted an anniversary message in Hindi on X, thanking PM Narendra Modi and Minister Annapurna Devi .
Key second-year initiatives include YASHODA AI , Shakti Summit , SHEServes , Campus Calling , and Pre-Marital Communication Centres (Tere Mere Sapne) .
Third-year focus: expanding reach to women facing barriers in accessing justice and strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms .
The NCW, established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 , handles thousands of complaints annually across domestic violence, harassment, and matrimonial disputes.
National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on 22 October 2026 marked the completion of two years in office, reiterating an unwavering commitment to women's dignity, safety, justice, and empowerment, and laying out priorities for her third year at the helm of the statutory body.
Rahatkar's Message on the Anniversary
In a message posted in Hindi on X, Rahatkar expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi for entrusting her with the responsibility. She also acknowledged the women who approached the Commission with their concerns. 'I am thankful to all those women who, by placing their trust in the Commission, shared their problems, experiences, and expectations. Their voices inspire us to shape our priorities and make institutional efforts more effective,' she wrote.
Key Initiatives in the Second Year
Rahatkar outlined a range of programmes undertaken during her second year in office, spanning multiple states and regions. These included women's public hearings, visits to One Stop Centres and reform homes, and initiatives such as She Is a Changemaker, SHEServes, Shakti Samwad, Shakti Summit, Catalysts for Change, Campus Calling, Pre-Marital Communication Centres (Tere Mere Sapne), and YASHODA AI. She described these as a 'continuous endeavour' to reach women, understand their problems, and deliver the necessary support.
Priorities for the Third Year
Looking ahead, Rahatkar said her focus in the third year will be on expanding the Commission's geographic and institutional reach — particularly to women who face structural barriers in accessing justice. 'Our commitment to women's dignity, safety, justice, and empowerment will remain unwavering. With this resolve for women's empowerment, we will all continue to move forward together,' she wrote. The emphasis on grievance redressal mechanisms and information access signals an intent to deepen the NCW's grassroots footprint beyond metropolitan centres.
Context and Significance
The NCW, established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, is the apex statutory body for safeguarding women's constitutional and legal rights in India. Rahatkar's appointment in October 2024 placed her at the centre of a body that handles thousands of complaints annually — ranging from domestic violence and harassment to matrimonial disputes and workplace discrimination. This comes amid an ongoing national conversation on women's safety, making the Commission's outreach agenda particularly consequential for millions of women, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Point of View
But without published data on grievance turnaround or conviction-support outcomes, the third-year agenda remains aspirational. The Commission's real test is whether the grassroots expansion it promises translates into measurable relief for women who currently have no practical pathway to justice.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Vijaya Rahatkar served as NCW Chairperson?
Vijaya Rahatkar completed two years as Chairperson of the National Commission for Women on 22 October 2026, having been appointed to the role in October 2024. She is now entering her third year in office.
What are the key programmes NCW launched in Rahatkar's second year?
During her second year, the NCW ran multiple initiatives including women's public hearings, visits to One Stop Centres and reform homes, and programmes such as She Is a Changemaker, SHEServes, Shakti Samwad, Shakti Summit, Catalysts for Change, Campus Calling, Pre-Marital Communication Centres (Tere Mere Sapne), and YASHODA AI.
What are the NCW's priorities for Rahatkar's third year?
Rahatkar has said her third-year focus will be on expanding the Commission's reach to women who face structural barriers in accessing justice, and on strengthening information access and grievance redressal mechanisms. She has pledged an unwavering commitment to women's dignity, safety, justice, and empowerment.
What is the National Commission for Women?
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is India's apex statutory body for safeguarding women's constitutional and legal rights, established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. It handles thousands of complaints annually covering domestic violence, workplace harassment, matrimonial disputes, and more.
Where did Rahatkar post her anniversary message?
Rahatkar posted her two-year anniversary message in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter) on 22 October 2026, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi for the responsibility.
