NCW Launches Two-Day Capacity Building Programme in Mumbai

The National Commission for Women (NCW) is set to launch a two-day Capacity Building and Training Programme for State Women Commissions (SWCs) across India on August 22-23, 2023, in Mumbai. This initiative, named “Shakti Samvad,” aims to enhance the institutional capacity of SWCs to protect women’s rights, promote welfare, and advance gender equality.

The announcement was made by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, who emphasized the critical role of Women Commissions as the first responders for women in distress. She stated, “Their role is pivotal in ensuring that the vision of gender equality reaches every corner of India.” Rahatkar underscored the goal of empowering the State Commissions with improved tools, deeper knowledge, and stronger strategies, addressing issues from cybercrimes to mental wellbeing.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will inaugurate the programme, joined by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. During the inaugural session, the Chief Minister will also unveil NCW’s latest publication on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) at the Workplace.

Comprehensive Discussions on Women’s Rights

The two-day programme will feature a series of high-level panel discussions and thematic sessions addressing a wide range of policy, legal, and social issues. The opening day will begin with a panel that focuses on the challenges and opportunities faced by SWCs. Subsequent sessions will delve into topics such as Anti-Human Trafficking, age of consent laws, and coordination with enforcement agencies like the Railways.

A special session titled “Inner Women” will explore holistic identity and wellbeing, while another session will evaluate women-centric policies concerning the Beijing Declaration.

On the second day, discussions will shift towards emerging challenges in the digital age, including the implications of Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Additional topics will cover menopause, mental health, and unpaid care work under the theme “Care Matters.” The legacy of the 15 women framers of the Indian Constitution will also be highlighted, along with orientation on new legal frameworks such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, with a specific focus on women’s rights.

Strategic Roadmap for Women’s Empowerment

The NCW will introduce a new Advisory Committee comprising experts from various fields to assist the Commission in designing strategic interventions aimed at women’s empowerment. The programme will conclude with a collaborative strategy session to develop a roadmap for enhancing cooperation between the NCW and SWCs, reinforcing their essential role as stakeholders in promoting gender justice and women’s welfare across the nation.

The last such meeting took place in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, in April 2025. Through these initiatives, the NCW aims to further strengthen its commitment to making India a safer and more empowering environment for women.