Supreme Court Alarms: Closure of Delhi Commission for Women Leaves Women in Distress without a Safety Net

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The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over the closure of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), a vital institution that provides support to women in distress. In a hearing on a child trafficking case, the top court asked the Delhi government to take immediate action to restore the commission's operations. The DCW, which was established in 1994 to safeguard women's rights, has been severely impacted by the absence of a chairperson and the removal of over 200 contractual staff members in May last year. The commission's website now shows that the post of chairperson and four other key positions are vacant. The Supreme Court's intervention comes after a recent media report highlighted the commission's closure. The top court's bench of justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan expressed alarm, asking Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave to look into the matter. Sources indicate that the DCW's office has been virtually closed since January 2024 due to the lack of a chairperson. The commission's functions, which include counseling, rescue, and legal assistance for women, have been severely impacted as a result. The DCW's website outlines its mission to investigate and examine matters related to women's safeguards under the Constitution and other laws. The commission's programs, such as the Sahyogini initiative and the Rape Crisis Cell, have been instrumental in supporting women in distress. The Supreme Court's intervention is a timely reminder of the importance of institutions like the DCW, which play a critical role in protecting women's rights. The court's call for action to restore the commission's operations is a welcome step towards ensuring that women in Delhi have access to the support they need.