Delhi Commission for Women

Delhi Commission for Women was constituted in 1994 and started functioning from the year 1996. The Present Commission was reconstituted on 25^thMay, 2007. The Commission’s mandate includes investigation and examination of all matters relating to the Safe guards provided for Women under the constitution and under laws. The Commission is also enjoined to make recommendations for effective implementation of safeguards, which are necessary for improving the conditions of Women in the Capital. The Commission also takes up cases of violation of provisions for Women as conferred in the Constitution and looks into complaints and takes suo-motto notice of matters relating to:

-Deprivation of women’s rights

-Non-implementation of laws

-Non-compliance of policy decision, ensuring welfare and providing relief to women

The Commission is expected to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of women and evaluates the progress of the development of women in the Capital.  In addition to this, the Commission involves itself in visiting jails, remand homes and other women’s institutions and places of custody where women are kept. The Commission provides legal aid to women in distress and makes reports to the government on matters pertaining to women.

Projects/Programmes of the Commission

1.     Sahyogini:   The Commission is running a family counseling unit called “Sahyogini” from its inception in the year 1997. A panel of members and legal advisers hold Sahyogini sessions where counseling is done for disputing parties many times before the commission reaches the final conclusion or solution for the affected women.  It exercises the powers of a civil court to ensure compliance of its summons for witnesses and for evidence. Through Sahyogini the commission has created a friendly space where sensitive family issues can be discussed, counseling taken and reconciliation attempted at the pre litigation stage. Cases attended pertains to the following areas: matrimonial disputes, divorce, child custody, rape, dowry related issues, maintenance, property related, sexual harassment at work place, harassment by neighbours, extra-marital relationships.

During the year 2008-09, ‘Sahyogini’ cell received 2498 cases and 1119 cases have been disposed off.

2.         Helpline:  Helpline was started in March 2000 to help women in distress which provides counseling help through the telephone by counselors and legal advisers.  Legal advice is also provided online and in case of emergency, a field team is rushed to handle the situation.  The issues dealt with the Helpline are: - matrimonial discord, family adjustment problems, physical and mental harassment by husband and in laws, harassment by neighbours or others, child custody, maintenance, divorce and desertion, rape, dowry deaths, physical abuse, emotional distress, legal advice and implication and other miscellaneous problems of women.

During the year 2008-09, ‘Helpline’ cell received 9255 calls of different nature seeking advise/counseling etc. The Helpline Numbers are:- 23370597 & 23379181 

3.    Crisis Intervention Centres: (Helping victims of rape):- Crisis Intervention Centres were launched in 9.3.2000.  The Crisis Intervention Centres are now functioning in all nine Police districts of Delhi, viz. North-East Delhi, East Delhi, Central Delhi, North Delhi, North-West Delhi, South Delhi, South-West Delhi, New Delhi, West Delhi.

The aims and objective of the Crisis Intervention Centres are to extend support system for the victims where trauma of rape becomes a permanent scar on their psyche. This support system by the NGOs includes the counseling services for the victims and her family which comprises of psychological counseling to cope with the trauma.

4.         Rape Crisis Cell:   The Rape Crisis Cell is started in the commission in September,2005 in view of the rising trend of sexual abuse of women in Delhi.  The prime responsibility of this cell is to aid and assist the rape victims and their families in order to overcome the trauma caused by the assault by providing immediate relief, emotional counseling, assistance in filing of FIR etc. and follow-up.  Besides the cell would also act as the co-ordinating agency for the services like medical, mental health, shelter, financial assistance to the victims with a network of NGOs.  The cell works 24 hours a day throughout the year.  The Helpline no. is 2337 0557.  The Rape Crisis Cell is now handling around 900 cases.

5.         Mahila Panchayat:  The commission started the Mahila Panchayat in September 2004 with involvement of NGOs.  20 NGOs are associated with this programme.  These Mahila Panchayat will act as a pre-litigation whereby efforts would be made to issues that women face domestic violence, crime etc. A network of 80 Mahila Panchayats was set up by December 2008.  These Mahila Panchayat have taken up around 2000 cases/complaints.