Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, NCW, was Chief Guest at Legal Awareness Programme at Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. The programme was organized by Arunodaya Samiti on 25.09.2013 on behalf of National Commission for Women.

On this occasion the wallet book of NCW developed on the instructions of Hon’ble CP, Smt. Mamta Sharma, was released and distributed. Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, NCW, said that it was most unfortunate that Rewa is among the districts having highest number of female foeticide. She implored women to resist injustice and speak out against violence. Encouraging women to share their problems Member, NCW invited them to come to the stage and narrate their experiences so that the women present can share and learn from each other. Initially the women were very hesitant but after some cajoling they opened up and started speaking of their problems which ranged from domestic violence, natal family violence, desertion by husband to being implicated in false by the husband.

The NGO Arunodaya Samiti, conducted Legal Awareness Programme on behalf of NCW with the objective to impart practical knowledge about the basic legal rights and remedies provided under various women related laws, thereby making them fit to face the challenges in real life situations. The Member, stressed that theoretical knowledge cannot prepare women for challenges in real life therefore, it is important that the SECOND DAY women visit police station or courts to know the procedure for seeking redressal.

Some of the cases which could be handled at the local level were discussed with Shri Srikant Dwivedi, DSP, Mahila Cell, Rewa and the NGO was asked to take the women for a field visit to the police station so that they know the process of filing a complaint and the essential ingredients to be included in the complaint. Details of which were given in the booklet on women security and police distributed by the Member.

Other eminent speakers included Shri Palo, District Judge who spoke extensively on women’s right to protection from domestic violence and the role of District Legal Services Authority; and Smt. Amita Tiwari, Advocate spoke on PC&PNDT Act.