New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Sunday called upon women to remain informed about their right to file a “Zero FIR” about a cognisable offence at any police station.

In a post on X, she said, “Zero FIR is your right! You can file a complaint for any cognizable offence at your nearest police station, regardless of where the incident occurred.”

Rahatkar said, “Once the Zero FIR is registered, the case is transferred to the relevant police station. If the police refuse to register the FIR, submit a written complaint and contact a senior police officer. Stay informed about your rights and don’t hesitate to raise your voice.”

Along with her social media post, Rahatkar also attached a pamphlet to educate women on how to file a “Zero FIR” in case a woman faces a cognisable offence.

She reminded women that no matter where they face a crime, they can avail the facility of filing a complaint against it at any police station that is convenient for them to approach.

Rahatkar’s advice to women on “Zero FIR” came a day after she chaired a capacity-building workshop for elected women representatives from panchayats and urban local bodies in Maharashtra, an official said on Saturday.

In a message on X, the Commission said, “NCW, in collaboration with Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHDA), organised ‘She is a Change Maker’ today at MGM Medical College.”

“Elected Women Representatives from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna and Beed participated in this capacity-building workshop, strengthening leadership in grassroots governance,” it said.

Rahatkar took to X and said, “Under the National Commission for Women’s ‘She Is Change Maker’ initiative, today the inaugural training camp was held for women representatives from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, and Beed districts.”

“With the cooperation of the Maharashtra government, the National Commission for Women will organise 12 training camps across the entire state. This important initiative began today from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar,” she said, adding that the cooperation of ‘Yashda’ on behalf of the Maharashtra government will be received.

“In today’s camp, more than 300 women representatives, including sarpanchs, district council members, panchayat samiti members, as well as those elected to municipal councils and corporations, participated enthusiastically,” she said.

“In this dialogue, detailed discussions were held on what an ideal woman representative should be like, her role, responsibilities, and the direction of leadership,” she said.

Sharing the focus areas of the camp, Rahatkar said the aim is to ensure that an elected representative should gain in-depth knowledge of her rights and responsibilities.

“She should participate on time and actively in every meeting. She should regularly visit the village to understand citizens’ problems. She should maintain transparency in work by keeping information on funds, files, and schemes clear,” said Rahatkar.

The NCW Chairperson said the initiative aims to educate and train a woman elected representative to maintain positive coordination with administrative officers.

Rahatkar said a woman elected representative should continuously monitor the implementation of government schemes, continuously enhance her knowledge and skills through training, workshops, and new initiatives and work while upholding honesty, discipline, and the spirit of public welfare.

–IANS

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