Justice Vikram Nath at National Commission for Women Summit, Annapurna Devi Urges Mindset Shift

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-08 16:43:00

Delivering a powerful call for institutional empathy and judicial vigilance, Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath declared that the voice of any woman speaking out against fear, violence, or distress must neither be dismissed nor taken for granted. Addressing the concluding session of the National Conference of Protection Officers organized by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in New Delhi on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the apex court judge emphasized that justice systems must inspire unwavering confidence among vulnerable citizens. He asserted that every woman must be fully assured that the law will act swiftly to shield her, ensuring she receives the necessary systemic backing to live with uncompromised dignity, personal safety, and autonomy over her life choices.

Unwavering Institutional Support: Justice Vikram Nath Commends Protection Officers

Highlighting the pivotal role played by frontline judicial and administrative functionaries under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), Justice Vikram Nath outlined the path toward holistic protection:

Validating the First Cry for Help: Justice Nath underscored that whenever a woman finds the courage to speak up about intimidation, marital torment, or domestic abuse, society and law enforcement must listen without prejudice, noting that genuine progress begins with the choices made within families and statutory institutions every day.

Lauding Frontline Protection Officers: The apex court judge praised the tireless efforts of designated protection officers across states, calling them vital bridges who help distressed women navigate intimidating legal corridors to secure timely justice and protection orders.

Guaranteeing Dignity and Autonomy: Justice Nath emphasized that legal mechanisms must proactively dismantle fear, ensuring women have the institutional confidence to lead secure lives free from coercion and exercise their constitutional right to make independent life decisions.

Raising Sons with Respect and Equality: Union Minister Annapurna Devi Calls for Cultural Shift

Speaking at the national conference, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi emphasized that statutory enactments alone cannot eradicate domestic abuse without deep cultural and behavioral transformations:

Sensitizing Future Generations: The Union Minister stressed that the foundational values of respect, gender sensitivity, and equality toward women must be consciously inculcated in sons from early childhood within every household.

A Three-Pronged National Goal: Annapurna Devi outlined a clear, unified vision for society and governance, declaring that every home must be fundamentally safe, every institutional system must remain deeply sensitive, and every victim of abuse must receive swift, unhindered justice.

Combining Law with Societal Change: She noted that while stringent criminal provisions exist on the statute books, lasting eradication of crimes against women requires dismantling patriarchal prejudices through widespread behavioral reform across communities.

'The System Must Reach the Victim': NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Proactive Governance

Reinforcing the demand for prompt administrative outreach, National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar insisted on transforming the operating model of public relief agencies:

Proactive State Intervention: Rahatkar emphasized that women in deep distress should not be forced to run endlessly from pillar to post seeking administrative relief; instead, administrative and legal machinery must proactively reach out to victims at their doorsteps.

Assurance of Protection: The NCW chief affirmed that every woman facing domestic violence must be given the absolute assurance that she does not stand alone in her battle, and that the entire constitutional system is actively standing beside her to protect her rights.

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