Recently, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has joined hands with Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to introduce a single-window facility called the Legal Aid Clinic. This initiative is aimed at providing free legal assistance to resolve grievances of women. The NCW is also looking forward to establishing more such legal services clinics in other State Commissions for Women.
About the Legal Aid Clinic
The Legal Aid Clinic is a one-stop solution designed to alleviate the grievances carried by women, by offering them free of cost legal services. Envisaged as an accessible hub for providing legal help, this clinic offers a wide range of services dedicated to uplift and empower women in distress.
The services offered under the scope of this clinic include counselling for walk-in complainants and provision of legal advice and information on a variety of schemes rolled out by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) or DSLSA.
Women in need can also take advantage of additional services such as assistance in Mahila Jansunwai, free legal aid, hearings in matrimonial cases, and redressal of other registered complaints with the Commission.
Future Expansion Plans
Gearing up to expand its footprint, the NCW plans to establish more Legal Aid Clinics similar to this one in other State Commissions for Women. The mission behind this expansion is to provide national coverage and make these services universally accessible to all women in the country.
The Role of National Commission for Women
Established as a statutory body in January 1992, the National Commission for Women was set up under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. The institution is committed to enabling women to achieve equality and pave way for their equal participation in all facets of life.
The modus operandi of NCW primarily revolves around securing the due rights and entitlements for women through appropriate policy formation, legislating measures, and more.
Functions of the National Commission for Women
NCW’s responsibilities extend to various areas concerning the welfare of women. These include reviewing the constitutional and legal safeguards in place for women, recommending remedial legislative measures, and facilitating redressal of grievances.
The commission also plays a pivotal role in guiding the government on policy matters affecting women. This advisory role significantly contributes to the formulation of policies that are sensitive to women’s rights and issues and helps ensure their fair treatment in all aspects of societal participation.
The launch of the Legal Aid Clinic by NCW in collaboration with DSLSA is a significant stride towards empowering women by providing them with easy access to legal services. Through such initiatives, the commission continues to work towards its mission of enabling equality for women in every sphere of life.
