National Commission for Women

Last updated: दिसम्बर 5th, 2024

सदस्य1 मार्च 2023

Ms. Delina Khongdup was born and raised in Lyndem village, Pynursla Block, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. She completed her primary education at DCLP (Govt.) School Lyndem and her 10th and 10+2 education at CHME Society, Vidya Prabodhini Prashala, Nashik, and Bhonsala Military College, Nashik, Maharashtra, respectively. She graduated from Deccan Education Society, D.E.S. Law College, University of Pune and earned her Master’s degree from New Law College, Pune, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune. Ms. Khongdup has held the position of Headmistress at the newly upgraded Upper Primary School, Jingkieng Ksiar U.P. School in Lyndem village, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. She practiced in Meghalaya courts, including the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Court, established under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard the rights and customary practices of the indigenous Khasi tribal community. She is an active member of the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) as Legal Aid Counsel (LAC) and was appointed as a Protection Officer (PO) under MSLSA for the Pynursla and Mawphlang C & Rd Blocks. Ms. Khongdup is also associated with the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI) as a Trainer and Trained Resource Person. Furthermore, she is the Founder Member and Assistant Director of Asorphi Education Society, Pynursla, and established the first and only Science academy in the region.

Social Work

Ms. Khongdup is a strong advocate for the basic human rights of citizens and runs a Self-Help Group (SHG) in her village to provide easy access to information technology and (CSC) Common Service Centre services at the doorstep. She serves as a free legal adviser to numerous women’s organizations in Pynursla Block and is an active member of the indigenous faith organization Seng Khasi, which aims to protect, promote, and safeguard the customary practices of the Khasi people. Additionally, she is associated with various social organizations such as Seva Bharati Meghalaya and Vidya Bharati Meghalaya. She also attended the National Workshop for Tribal Research – Identity, Rights, and Development, organized by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in New Delhi.

The lack of education, awareness about their rights and opportunities, and poverty have left women behind and subject to discrimination. Ms. Khongdup ultimate aim is to empower women by spreading awareness of their rights and basic human rights. She believes that women must be aware of their constitutional, social, and legal rights.

To promote skill development among women and make them self-reliant, Ms. Khongdup started a training center for women at Pynursla in association with Shubham Charitable Association, a Shillong-based NGO, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). The center trained women in tailoring, embroidery, computers, handicrafts, bamboo craft, and more. During the pandemic, masks stitched at the training center were distributed free to various sections of society. The center is now running in partnership with (JSS) Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Meghalaya.

Ms. Khongdup is associated with various NGOs and women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the village level. She has provided free legal advice to women and others on matters related to marriage, divorce, maintenance, and the registration of birth and death certificates in rural areas. Additionally, she runs a school in a village that previously had no educational facilities.

Ms. Khongdup filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Meghalaya High Court to recognize the Hindu, Niam Khasi, Niam Tre, and Songsarek (indigenous faith followers) as minorities in the Christian-majority state of Meghalaya, enabling them to avail of various benefits and policies for minorities.

Her desire is to uplift the deprived and vulnerable in society at large. She works hand in hand from the grassroots level to the top, empowering, educating, and encouraging individuals to fight for and stand up for their rights. Ms. Khongdup assumed the role of Member of the National Commission for Women on March 1, 2023.