CMYK
CMYK
Delhi Commission for Women
Delhi Commission for Women is a statutory body which was set up under Delhi Commission for Women Act 1994 and
started functioning from June 1996. Delhi Commission for Women was constituted with the aim to investigate and
examine all matters relating to the safeguards provided for women under the constitution and other laws. The
Commission functions in the manner of a Civil Court and strives to ensure aims envisaged in the Act through its
various programmes like Sahyogini, Mahila Panchayats, Rape Crisis Cell, Mobile Help Line and Pre Marital
Counselling Cell. Delhi Commission for Women can give/or gives recommendations to the government for the
effective implementation of those safeguards for improving the conditions of women in the capital. DCW can
recommend amendments and suggest remedial legislative measures to meet any lacunae, inadequacies/short
comings in such legislations. The jurisdiction of the Commission is within National Capital Territory of Delhi. D.C.W
offers the following services to women-
Sahyogini and its Helpline (011-23379181)
In order to help women in distress, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) started the phone 'Helpline' in March 2000.
The women in distress are encouraged to seek counseling through telephone between 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from
Monday to Friday.
Trained Counselors listen to the problems narrated on phone and counsel the complainant or guide her to the
concerned authority/department to resolve her problem. It is the Frontal Desk of 'Sahyogini' or the family counseling
unit of Delhi Commission for Women. The cases/complaints which can't be resolved through counseling and complaint
resolved through post/(other department) are attended by DCW Members in the family court 'Sahyogini'.
Sahyogini is a family counseling unit called. It has a panel of Members; usually 5 in number, each of them are assisted
by a lawyer who guides them in laws related to women. Sahyogini exercises the powers of a civil court to ensure
compliance of its summons for accused person witnesses and for evidence.
T hrough 'Sahyogini' the Commission has created a friendly space where sensitive family issues are discussed,
counseling through counseling session and reconciliation is attempted at the pre litigation stage.
Crisis Intervention Centers
Crisis Intervention Centers (CICs) were launched by the Commission in March, 2000 with the help of NGOs. The CIC's
are located in all the eleven police districts of Delhi.
The aims and objectives of the CICs are to extend support to the victims of rape. This includes, counseling services for
the victim and her family, getting MLCs done at the hospital, registering FIR in the police station, giving emotional
support to the victim and preparing her to face the court proceedings.
Rape Crisis Cell (011-23370557)
The Rape Crisis Cell (RCC) was started by the Commission in 2005. It was established in view of the rising trend in
sexual abuse of women in Delhi, especially minor girls. The Cell functions with the help of lawyers, who are assisted
18