Dimapur: The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), in collaboration with the Chumoukedima district administration, the district hub for women’s empowerment, and the Nagaland Social Welfare Department, organised Mahila Jan Sunwai (public hearing for women) at the Chumoukedima DC’s conference hall on Wednesday.
The initiative aims to strengthen grassroots access to justice by bringing grievance redressal mechanisms closer to the public, particularly women from rural and remote areas.
The district-level hearing formed part of a state-wide outreach initiative conducted from March 9 to 13 under the guidance of the National Commission for Women.
The initiative provides women with a direct and accessible platform to voice their grievances and seek institutional support. It addresses issues related to women’s rights, safety, and welfare while offering participants an opportunity to raise concerns and seek assistance from concerned authorities.
Chairing the programme, Kekhrienuo Meyase, member of the NSCW, said women must understand the legal provisions meant for their protection, emphasizing that legal awareness is crucial for safeguarding rights and seeking justice.
Meyase also expressed concern over the growing cases of cybercrime and cyberbullying, particularly on social media platforms, where women often face unsolicited comments, body shaming, and online harassment.
She highlighted different forms of harassment faced by women, including domestic violence, verbal harassment, workplace harassment, cyberbullying, and economic neglect.
She stressed the importance of awareness regarding the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, which provides legal protection to women facing abuse at home.
Meyase also called for stronger awareness of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which aims to protect women from sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions.
During the programme, participants expressed their grievances and interacted directly with officials, legal experts, and law enforcement representatives.
Complaints related to domestic violence, workplace harassment, abandonment, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based injustice were addressed, with officials assuring necessary legal guidance and follow-up mechanisms during the interaction.