NCW Holds Consultation On State-Specific Laws, Highlights Women's Property Rights And Access To Justice
The National Commission for Women (NCW), in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) and the School of Law, Rights & Constitutional Governance (SLRCG), Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, organised a consultation on the “Review of State-Specific Laws” at TISS, Mumbai, on October 5.
NCW Chairperson Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar was the Chief Guest. The consultation brought together academicians, faculty members, students, advocates, prosecutors, civil society organisations and para-legal volunteers from DLSA Mumbai.
TISS Highlights Role Of Legal Education And Access To Justice
Representing SLRCG, Prof. Arvind Tiwari highlighted the growth of the School of Law at TISS and its commitment to legal education and access to justice for senior citizens and women. He also spoke about the two LL.M. programmes in Access to Justice and the M.A. in Public Policy and Governance, and noted that students are placed for fieldwork with MSCW.
Dr. Narendra Mishra, Registrar, TISS, welcomed the Chief Guests and spoke about TISS's commitment to social studies and community empowerment.
NCW Chairperson Highlights Women's Property Rights
Addressing the consultation, Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar highlighted challenges relating to women's inheritance and property rights, agricultural land ownership, widows of farmers who died by suicide, workplace safety and access to justice.
Referring to Maharashtra's women farmers' policy, she stressed that meaningful empowerment requires women to have ownership of land and a voice in decisions concerning agricultural resources. She also appreciated the collaboration between TISS, SLRCG and MSCW in organising the consultation and related programmes.
The consultation was addressed by senior advocates, resource persons and others associated with District Legal Services Authorities, including Shri Ravindra Phansalkar, Shri Mukhul Chithale, Shri Vivek Deshmukh and Shri Praveen Kumbhojkar, along with Senior Advocates Shri Puneet Chaturvedi and Smt. Rupali Gothwal.
Dr. Sonali Kusum, Assistant Professor and Programme Coordinator, SLRCG, TISS, referred to the Bombay High Court judgment in Priya Tanaji Kumbhar & Ors. v. State of Maharashtra (2026), which dealt with the vulnerabilities faced by elderly persons, particularly widowed women.
The consultation concluded with a shared commitment to bridge the gap between legislative intent and implementation and ensure that women and senior citizens can access their legal rights with dignity, security and timely justice.