Bengaluru, August 10: The National Commission for Women (NCW) organized a regional conference on “Justice for Women” in collaboration with the Supreme Court, Karnataka High Court, and the Karnataka Judicial Academy on August 8 and 9, 2026, at the Karnataka Judicial Academy in Bengaluru.
Judges from the Supreme Court, High Courts, and district courts across South India participated in this two-day event. They engaged in extensive discussions regarding women’s access to justice, safety, dignity, and the effective implementation of legal protections.
The conference was inaugurated by Justice B.V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court. Present at the event were NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Justice Vibhusit Bakru, Justice Jayant Banerjee, President of the Karnataka Judicial Academy, and Justice S.G. Pandit, President of the Karnataka Mediation Centre.
In her inaugural address, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar emphasized that ensuring justice for women is a shared constitutional responsibility of all institutions. She stated that justice should not only be timely but must also instill confidence in people that they have genuinely received justice.
Rahatkar expressed concern over any inclination towards compromise or reconciliation in heinous crimes against women. She stressed the need for a sensitive and just approach in such cases. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of careful language in judicial decisions to prevent re-traumatization of victims of sexual assault.
She also underscored the necessity of timely dialogue, counseling, and intervention to strengthen family and marital relationships. During her address, she referenced the NCW initiative “Tere Mere Sapne,” emphasizing the significance of pre-marital counseling and improved communication.
In her opening speech, Justice B.V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court noted that the nature of harm and harassment faced by women differs from that faced by men. She pointed out that in many cases, the perpetrator is not a stranger but someone on whom the woman is socially or economically dependent.
During the conference, Justice Jayant Banerjee launched the digital edition of “We the Women of India,” while Justice S.G. Pandit released the book “Breaking the Silence: A Complete Guide to Domestic Violence and the Law.”
The two-day conference featured four technical sessions. The first session focused on women’s access to justice, legal aid, the rights of female accused, and issues related to the rehabilitation and compensation of victims of sexual assault, acid attacks, and human trafficking.
The second session discussed workplace safety for women and gender sensitivity, with a particular emphasis on the effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. The third session addressed the role of mediation in providing justice to women, covering marital disputes, child custody, property and inheritance disputes, and domestic violence.
The fourth session concentrated on women’s safety, covering topics such as safety in public spaces, homes, and digital platforms, as well as sexual crimes, human trafficking, domestic violence, and online safety. The conference concluded with the presence of Justice V. Mohana of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Lisa Gill of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.
In the closing session, Justice V. Mohana remarked that the language used in judicial decisions profoundly impacts society and the justice system. She emphasized that justice should not only be about fair outcomes but that the entire process should be respectful and sensitive.
In her closing address, Vijaya Rahatkar stated, “The Supreme Court is the guardian of the Constitution, and it is responsible for protecting the rights granted by the Constitution. The right to life includes the right to a dignified life. Therefore, the judiciary is also a guardian of women’s dignity and rights. Whenever a court protects a woman’s dignity, it strengthens the Constitution.”
She added that a sensitive judicial system fosters public trust in justice. The collaboration between the judiciary and other institutions aims to create a India where every woman receives justice with respect, equality, and hope.
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