‘Goal is to ensure no woman goes unheard’ : new DCW Chairperson

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Lata Gupta, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), was appointed at the end of July this year. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Lata Gupta has said her sole objective is to ensure that no woman goes unheard in the national capital.

In an interview with The Hindu , Ms. Gupta stated that every woman must feel supported and cared for. “This is what the Commission was formed for and I will ensure it remains accessible to the women of Delhi. Women must not feel they are alone in this city,” she said. “There are so many women who are not aware of their rights, who don’t know the legal process to follow in case of harassment, either at workplace, at home or at public places. Our focus is to expand awareness and take it to colonies through RWAs, at offices, schools and colleges,” Ms. Gupta said.

Ms. Gupta was appointed at the end of July this year. The post had remained vacant for two years after former Chairperson Swati Maliwal resigned in 2024, following her nomination to the Rajya Sabha by the then-ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). A former two-time municipal councillor from Laxmi Nagar in the East Delhi Municipal Corporation, Ms. Gupta has also worked with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha and served as the vice-president of Delhi BJP.

When asked how her approach to the Commission’s functioning differs from the previous regime, Ms. Gupta said she wants the body to penetrate deeper into women’s issues and create greater awareness so that not a single complaint goes unheard. “I don’t compare my work with anyone. We are focusing on digitisation of complaints, thorough follow-ups and time-bound action,” she said.

The Commission, besides running women’s helpline and overseeing the Sakhi One-Stop centres, will focus strongly on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at workplaces Act (POSH) and cyber fraud. A major part of the Commission’s work will focus on providing pre-marital counselling to women akin to NCW’s ‘Tere Mere Sapne’ where couples are helped create stronger bonds, communicate expectations and strengthen their relationships.

In May 2024, Delhi’s then Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena dismissed 233 temporary workers at the DCW alleging they were ‘improperly appointed’. When asked about the two-year long vacancy at the Commission and the doors of the Commission remaining locked during this period, Ms. Gupta blamed the previous AAP government for entirely abandoning the Commission instead of resolving underlying issues.

“The head of the previous government, instead of working out the objections made by the seniors, locked the doors of the Commission. All this while claiming efficiency of the organisation. Is this how you handle sensitive matters?” she questioned.

She said that efforts are underway to identify pending cases, reach out to victims, and ensure there is no pendency at the Commission. A six-member expert panel was recently formed to focus on women’s safety and welfare.