NCW Shakti Samvaad 2025: Jitendra Singh to open Srinagar conclave on May 16
Synopsis
For the first time, the NCW's flagship 'Shakti Samvaad' consultation lands in Srinagar — a deliberate institutional signal that Jammu and Kashmir is being drawn into mainstream national policymaking on women's rights. With the New Labour Codes and fresh judicial rulings on the table, the fourth edition carries more legislative weight than its predecessors.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the fourth edition of 'Shakti Samvaad' in Srinagar on 16 May 2025 .
The two-day NCW conclave runs from 16 to 17 May 2025 , bringing together State Women Commissions from across India.
Key agenda items include the New Labour Codes , stalking laws, and recent Supreme Court and High Court judgments on women.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar will address the gathering on responsive governance and institutional collaboration.
Previous editions were held in Ayodhya , Mumbai , and New Delhi ; Srinagar marks the first edition in Jammu and Kashmir .
Union Minister Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the fourth edition of 'Shakti Samvaad' in Srinagar on 16 May 2025, leading a two-day national consultation on women's rights, institutional coordination, and safety mechanisms organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW). The conclave, running through 17 May, brings together State Women Commissions from across India for focused deliberations on policy and legal frameworks affecting women.
Key Themes on the Agenda
The two-day programme covers a range of substantive issues, including a State Progress Snapshot, a State Law Review from a Women's Rights Perspective, and an analysis of recent Supreme Court and High Court judgments on women. Additional sessions will address stalking — examining both legal and institutional responses — and the implications of the New Labour Codes for women's workplace rights, welfare, and dignity.
What the NCW Chairperson Said
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar is scheduled to address the gathering and is expected to stress the importance of responsive governance, stronger institutional collaboration, and grassroots-level mechanisms for protecting the rights and dignity of women across states, according to an official statement.
Why Srinagar, and Why It Matters
The choice of Srinagar as the venue for this edition is significant. The previous three editions were held in Ayodhya, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Hosting the fourth edition in Jammu and Kashmir reflects the growing institutional engagement of the union territory in national-level policymaking forums. Officials noted that the event underscores the importance of inclusive dialogue and coordinated governance in advancing women's access to justice in the region.
Who Will Attend
The conclave will draw senior government officials, legal experts, law enforcement representatives, policymakers, and members of State Women's Commissions from across the country. The Shakti Samvaad series is a flagship consultative initiative of the NCW, designed to foster continuous engagement between the national commission and its state-level counterparts.
Broader Significance
This is the fourth consecutive year the NCW has convened this national consultation, signalling a sustained institutional push to standardise women's rights frameworks across states. The Srinagar edition arrives at a time when debates around the New Labour Codes and judicial pronouncements on women's safety have gained fresh urgency at the policy level. The outcomes of the deliberations are expected to feed into recommendations for legislative and administrative reform at both the central and state levels.
Point of View
And without clear implementation guidance, the legislative intent risks being diluted in practice. The real measure of Shakti Samvaad's value will be whether its deliberations feed into verifiable state-level action, not just shared resolutions.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shakti Samvaad and who organises it?
Shakti Samvaad is a flagship consultative initiative of the National Commission for Women (NCW) that brings together State Women Commissions from across India to deliberate on women's rights, safety mechanisms, and institutional coordination. It is held annually and is now in its fourth edition.
Where and when is the 2025 Shakti Samvaad being held?
The fourth edition of Shakti Samvaad is being held in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on 16 and 17 May 2025. It is the first time the conclave is being hosted in J&K; previous editions took place in Ayodhya, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Who is inaugurating the Srinagar edition of Shakti Samvaad?
Union Minister Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the conclave and address the opening session on 16 May 2025. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar will also address the gathering.
What topics will be discussed at the two-day conclave?
The conclave will cover a State Progress Snapshot, a State Law Review from a Women's Rights Perspective, recent Supreme Court and High Court judgments on women, legal and institutional responses to stalking, and women's rights under the New Labour Codes.
Why is Srinagar significant as the venue for this edition?
Hosting the conclave in Srinagar signals the growing institutional participation of Jammu and Kashmir in national-level policymaking forums. Officials said the choice highlights the importance of inclusive dialogue and coordinated governance in advancing women's rights and access to justice in the region.
