National Commission for Women

• Hometown: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra
• Education: Bachelor of Science (Physics) & Master of Arts (History), both from Pune University

Overview-

Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar has dedicated over 30 years to Indian politics and social work, beginning her journey at the grassroots level as a Municipal Corporator. She passionately advocates for social and economic development and women-led development. She has assumed various electoral offices and leadership positions at social welfare organisations.

Chairperson of Maharashtra Commission for Women: During her tenure as a Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (2016 to 2020), she spearheaded various initiatives to address social, financial, domestic and safety issues of women in Maharashtra. Her leadership brought about policy changes and strengthened institutional support for women across the state. As Chairperson, her leadership over impactful campaigns raised awareness about women’s issues and strengthened legal and social protections for women across Maharashtra. Some highlights of her tenure are as under-

1. Rehabilitation of Acid Attack survivors through the initiative of “Sakshama” and “Confidence Walk”.
2. Enforcement of POSH via ‘Training of Trainers’ impacting and training at least 10,000 trainers, as well as enforcement of compliances in hundreds of corporate offices.
3. “Nirmal Wari”- The awareness campaign on the Commission’s authority and accessibility to help women with their various issues, which included filing complaints, hygiene and sanitation.
4. “Prajwala”- Initiative for financial empowerment and support through Self Help Groups for rural and urban women, also provided vocational training.
5. “Suhita”- initiated 24×7 helpline number for women.
6. Anti-Women Trafficking- Prevention and rescue- Held several discussions and made policy recommendations on prevention and rescue in women trafficking through the “International Conference on Women and Child Trafficking”.
7. Policy Recommendations for legislative reforms- Led efforts to draft policy recommendations through discussions with experts and several interest groups like NGOs to make policy recommendations to the appropriate government. Some of the topics for policy recommendations were POCSO, NRI Marriage Cell, Triple Talaq, and Anti-Human Trafficking.
8. Digital literacy- Campaigns across more than 200 Tehsils to empower women with digital literacy.
9. Initiated constant efforts to make the Commission easily accessible to all women in the remotest part of Maharashtra with various initiatives like “Mahila Aayog Aplya Daari”, aiding the redressal and intervention of women’s issues.
10. Conflicting NRI Marriage Cell- helped rescue and support Indian married women in other countries who faced harassment on the domestic and familial front through dedicated channels and deliberations at the National Conference.
11. “Saad”- started publishing the Commission’s official magazine, covering various informative topics.
12. Delivering Justice- Disposed of thousands of cases and complaints registered and pending at the Commission, ensuring timely justice. Improved ways to reach and raise complaints at the Commission via technology-aided various platforms and door-to-door awareness campaigns.
13. Collaborations- Expanded efforts for women’s welfare with various collaborations with NGOs and international organisations.

Mayor of Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar): As the Mayor (2007 to 2010), Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar worked tirelessly to transform her hometown. She improved infrastructure, healthcare, slum development, and education while actively ensuring more MNCs and IT companies invest in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) to generate more revenue and employment for the city. She also made efforts to empower women in various aspects. She gained cultural and tourism recognition in the City, and increased revenue and tax recovery as Mayor of Chhatrapati Sambhjinagar, earning recognition for transforming the city’s urban development.

1. She was also the Vice-President of the National Mayors’ Council and President of Maharashtra Mayors’ Council during her tenure as Mayor.
2. She was an elected member of the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation from 2000 to 2010 and held other offices like Chairperson of Zonal Committee, etc.
3. Advisory Director, All India Institute of Local Self-Government
4. Chairperson and Mentor, Anandi Empower Foundation- Her non-profit organisation which focuses on the education and empowerment of girls and women in the Marathwada region; supports surviving women family members of farmers who have committed suicides; provides marketplace to small women entrepreneurs; conducts free of cost vocational courses and provides free placement and counselling services.

Awards and Recognitions-

1. National Law Day Award 2017– given by the International Council of Jurists for a unique contribution to the field of Women’s Empowerment.
2. Savitribai Phule Award– given by Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Parishad for conservation of cultural and literary work.

Authored Books-

1. “Agnishikha Dhadadu Dya”– based on the crucial issue of Female Foeticide (Year 2011)
2. “Aurangabad Leading to Wide Roads”– based on the town planning and development of Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) City. The book has been recognised as a Case Study and Reference Book by the Government of Maharashtra (Year 2012)
3. “Magic of Blue Flame”– based on the real stories of beneficiaries of the Ujwala Scheme.
4. “Vidhi Likhit”- Edited series of books covering topics POCSO, Laws related to Domestic Violence, Family Laws, NRI Marriages, PCPNDT, The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, Triple Talaq, Laws and Schemes for Working Women.
5. “Kanoon Aapke Liye”– based on laws relating to Indian women.