Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar has been chosen to succeed Rekha Sharma as the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, the Central government announced on October 19. The women's panel said in a post on X, "NCW is pleased to share that in pursuance of Section 3, NCW Act, 1990, the Central Government has nominated Smt. Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar as the Chairperson of National Commission for Women."
Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar: NCW Chair
According to a notification issued from the NCW. “the appointment, made under Section 3 of the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, will be for a period of three years or until she reaches the age of 65, whichever comes earlier.” Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar will begin her tenure immediately.
Rahatkar was the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women from 2016 to 2021 when she implemented numerous initiatives to uplift women. Some of her notable contributions include the 'Sakshama Initiative' to support survivors of acid attacks and the 'Suhita' 24x7 helpline for women.
Rahatkar has also helped link self-help groups to central government schemes through initiatives like 'Prajwala'. From 2007 to the mid-2010s, Rahatkar was the mayor of Chatrapati Sambhajinagar, where she implemented significant developmental projects related to healthcare and infrastructure.
Rahatkar has a bachelor's degree in Physics and a master's degree in History from the Savitribai Phule Pune University, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said. She has authored several books including Vidhilikhit on women's legal issues and Aurangabad: Leading to Wide Roads.
Rahatkar has earned a National Law Award and a Savitribai Phule Award from a national literary council. Meanwhile, Dr Archana Majumdar has been officially appointed as a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW) for a tenure of three years, the Ministry said.
Exiting NCW chief Rekha Sharma, who has been associated with the panel since 2015, said in a heartfelt media statement, "These nine years have been like a roller coaster ride for me. Coming from a humble background to finishing three terms in the NCW is a long way I have walked."
Sharma added, “I will never forget the women in mental asylums who would not stop hugging me, the elderly lady in Vrindavan Ashram who embraced me like my mother, or the thousands of women in prison who shared their life stories with me. These moments have left an indelible mark on my heart."
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