The Mahila Jan Sunwai, a public hearing for women at their doorstep, is currently being held across Nagaland in all the districts to commemorate International Women’s Day. It is an initiative of the Nagaland State Commission for women.
The hearing commenced on March 9 and continue till March 13.
The hearing was held in the following districts in the last few days.
CHÜMOUKEDIMA
CHÜMOUKEDIMA: Mahila Jan Sunwai (public hearing for women) was held on March 11 at the DC’s Conference Hall in Chümoukedima. The programme was organized by the Nagaland State Commission for Women in collaboration with the District Administration, District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), and the Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland.
According to DIPR report, Kekhrienuo Meyase, member, NSCW who chaired the program, said that women must understand the legal provisions meant for their protection, adding that legal awareness is crucial for women to safeguard their rights and seek justice.
Meyase also expressed concern over the growing cases of cybercrime and cyber bullying, particularly on social media platforms, where women often face unsolicited comments, body shaming and online harassment.
She highlighted different forms of harassment faced by women such as domestic violence, verbal harassment, workplace harassment, cyber bullying and economic neglect. She stressed the importance of awareness on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, which provides legal protection to women facing abuse at home.
She also called for stronger awareness on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), which aims to protect women from sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions.
Meyase further emphasised the need to educate men about women’s rights and the legal consequences of violence and harassment, noting that many people, especially at the grassroots level, remain unaware that such actions are punishable under the law. She urged the public to report incidents of harassment and violence and called for greater awareness of legal rights to ensure the safety, dignity and justice of women.
The participants were also given the opportunity to present their grievances and interact directly with officials, legal experts, and law enforcement representatives. Complaints related to domestic violence, workplace harassment, abandonment, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based injustice were addressed, with officials assuring necessary legal guidance and follow-up mechanisms, during the Interaction and Jan Sunwai.
The programme was chaired by Ikali Wokhami, district mission coordinator of DHEW, Chümoukedima and a vote of thanks was delivered by Vera Sapu, gender specialist, DHEW, Chümoukedima. Other speakers at the programme were Renthunglo Kikon, centre administrator of SAKHI – One Stop Centre; Sonile Seb, retainer lawyer of the District Legal Services Authority; and S.I. Tajungsangla, 2nd Officer-in-Charge of the Women Police Station, Dimapur.
The Mahila Jan Sunwai initiative seeks to strengthen grassroots access to justice by bringing grievance redressal mechanisms closer to the public, particularly women from rural and remote areas. The district-level hearing formed part of the state-wide outreach initiative conducted from March 9 to 13 under the guidance of the National Commission for Women. The initiative aims to provide women with a direct and accessible platform to voice their grievances and seek institutional support.
PEREN
PEREN: Mahila Jan Sunwai was held on March 12, at Town Hall, Peren to commemorate the international women’s day 2026, with Member of Nagaland State Commission for Women, Akokla Longchar as the resource person.
According to DIPR report, the public hearing programme was organised by the Nagaland State Commission for Women in collaboration with District Administration, District Legal Services Authority & Mission Shakti One Stop Centre (OSC), Peren.
Akokla Longchar advised the womenfolk to change their mindset and use their wisdom for the benefit and protection of the women’s welfare. She stated that every woman has a right to lodge a complaint in the police station if one is forced to have sexual or any harassment against them. Every woman has a right to take legal action against any person who assault or tries to outrage or modesty by way of deliberate constant gesture or physical force, she added.
She also said that every wife has a right to take legal action against their husband if they are being tortured physically and mentally. She encouraged the gathering women to know their rights and raise their voice legally. She also presided over the public hearing.
Representatives from Mission Shakti One Stop Centre and District Legal Service Authority, Peren also spoke and shared their services and facilities providing to the general public such as medical, legal aid, temporary shelter, police assistance, counselling, etc. ADC Peren, D. Robin proposed the welcome address.
LONGLENG
LONGLENG: Longleng organised Mahila Jansunwai (public hearing), on March 12, at DPDB hall, Longleng. It was organized under the initiative of National Commission for Women, Nagaland State Commission for Women in collaboration with District Administration and District Legal Services Authorities,
According to DIPR report, chairing the program, chairperson, Nagaland State Commission for Women, W. Nginyeih Konyak highlighted that the event is being organised to provide women with a direct accessible platform to voice out their grievances and seek institutional support in regards to domestic violence, teasing and harassment at work places, maternity benefits, abandonment, trafficking and other forms of gender based injustice.
She informed that such cases must be reported to the district administration, DLSA, One Stop Centre and Police, as they are to access the national woman commission in the district. She also urged the women leaders not to take law into their hand. She also informed that district public hearing is a nationwide program initiative and organized by the National Woman Commission.
Informing on forensic lab in the state, she said it is very concerning and important issue taken up by the Woman Commission. She asserted that in most cases related to woman, it remains unsolved and delayed due to absences of forensic lab. She therefore urged Phomla Hoichem, the apex women body of Phom community to initiate by apprising the issue to the district administration and forward it to the Nagaland State Women Commission for a joint venture. She also encouraged the gathering to voice out their rights.
She appealed to all sections of the society to come forward by supporting one another to eliminate crime in our society.
President Phomla Hoichem, A. Ainyu Phom, and deputy, LADC Longleng, P. Monyei Phom also delivered short speeches. While the Sakhi – One Stop Centre Longleng presented a brief report on service provided by their department through PowerPoint presentation.
The programme was chaired by EAC Yongnyah, Imkongnukla Ao, and welcome address was done by SDPO Longleng, N. Abel kikon.
TUENSANG
TUENSANG: National Commission for Women and the Nagaland State Commission for Women in Collaboration with District Administration, Sakhi-OSC and DLSA, Tuensang organised Mahila Jan Sunwai (public hearing) at DC’s Conference Hall, Tuensang on March 9 2026.
According to DIPR report, the chairperson of Nagaland State Commission for Women, Nginyeih Konyak, in her address, pointed out that Mahila Jan Sunwai should be the beginning and not the end for all womenfolk. She exhorted the women gathered to courageously claim and fight for their rights so as to live a secured life in the society.
Acknowledging all the line departments for their cooperation and support at all times, she said without the support and cooperation from the line department, functioning of OSC, NLSA won’t be possible. Konyak also informed that the primary role of the Nagaland State Commission for Women is to reach out to all women who are suffering from sexual abuse, molestation, etc and making men folk to understand the clear picture of gender equality in the society. Later the chairperson had a prolonged interaction with womenfolk deliberating various issues prevailing in the villages, colonies and towns.
In her keynote address, Deputy Commissioner Tuensang, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, pointed out that love and respect for women should start from individuals at their respective homes and apprise the villagers for the upliftment and protection of girl child and empowerment of women in their families and society.
District Welfare Officer, Tuensang and others also delivered short speeches during the program. EAC Tuensang, Dr. Zujanbeni Ngullie who chaired the program delivered the closing remarks.