A five-day ‘Mahila Jan Sunwai’ (public hearing for women) commenced on March 9 at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Chumukedima, organized by the National Commission for Women in collaboration with the Nagaland State Commission for Women. The event addresses issues such as domestic violence, workplace harassment, abandonment, maintenance disputes, molestation, and human trafficking. Kekhrienuo Meyase, a member of the Nagaland State Commission for Women, emphasized that this program serves as both a grievance hearing platform and an awareness initiative, informing women about government support mechanisms.
The Mahila Jan Sunwai is part of a national effort, with coordination from various stakeholders like district administration, legal services, law enforcement, and women-centric departments. This initiative aims to connect grassroots women, especially from underprivileged backgrounds, directly with authorities, ensuring access to formal legal systems. Civil society organizations also participated as observers.
Hearings were chaired by district administration officials, while individual grievances were managed by a member or the Chairperson of the State Women Commission. Meyase highlighted domestic violence as a significant concern and called for increased awareness of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), advocating for enhanced educational campaigns about women’s rights in schools and colleges.
The nationwide public hearing seeks to give women a direct voice for their grievances and institutional support, addressing complaints related to various gender-based injustices. A notable aspect is the commitment to timely grievance redressal, facilitated by dedicated benches comprising members from the State Commission, district administration, legal services, police, and protection officers. These teams were tasked with the immediate handling of complaints, registration, escalation of serious cases, and providing legal guidance, alongside follow-up mechanisms. Walk-in complaints are welcomed during the hearings, which will run until March 13.
