J&K Students Association writes to NCW for restoration of Special Cells for women in J&K

• Says, closure of Special Cells is a setback for women’s safety in J&K and puts survivors of gender-based violence at risk

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Saturday has written to the National Commission for Women (NCW), seeking immediate intervention to restore and institutionalize special cells for Women in Jammu and Kashmir. The move follows the abrupt discontinuation of these vital support units due to the cessation of funding from the NCW, leaving thousands of women without crucial protection and assistance. The closure of these critical Special Cells has raised serious concerns about the future of vulnerable women who rely on these services for safety and support.

Established in 2021 under the initiative "Violence-Free Home – A Woman’s Right," these Special Cells were set up in police stations across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Implemented by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in collaboration with the J&K Home and Social Welfare Departments, the project provided essential psycho-social-legal support to survivors of gender-based violence.

In its letter to the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, the association stated that the initiative played a critical role in offering legal aid, crisis intervention, and rehabilitation services to vulnerable women.

Since its inception, the Special Cells have assisted 9,791 survivors of violence (from November 1, 2021, to January 31, 2025). The initiative also conducted 1,581 awareness and training programs, educating communities on legal rights and protective laws for women and children. The project was managed by a team of 40 trained social workers (two per district) and two regional coordinators, all holding Master’s degrees in Social Work and possessing years of experience in handling cases of violence against women.

However, with the NCW’s decision to withdraw funding, thousands of women currently receiving support will be left vulnerable and without recourse. Many will find their cases abandoned mid-process, facing immense hardship in their fight for justice. The abrupt closure of these services would be a severe setback in the fight against gender-based violence, leaving countless women without structured protection.

The Special Cells for Women were instrumental in addressing violence against women, bridging gaps in justice delivery, and providing rehabilitation to survivors. The teams delivered professional, compassionate, and effective services, offering legal aid, counseling, and rehabilitation support. This ensured that women affected by violence had access to justice, protection, and the necessary resources to rebuild their lives, the association said.

National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that despite the project's impact, the NCW’s decision to withdraw funding has put thousands of women at risk, leaving them without support. He stressed that the abrupt shutdown of these Special Cells is a severe setback in the fight against gender-based violence, forcing many victims to abandon their cases mid-process.

In its letter, the association highlighted the indispensable role played by the Special Cells in addressing violence against women, bridging justice delivery gaps, and rehabilitating survivors. The association emphasized that the closure of these services would exacerbate structural inequalities, deter women from reporting crimes, and embolden perpetrators.

Khuehami said, “The dismantling of these Special Cells is not just a policy misstep; it is a political and moral failure that exposes the administration’s apathy toward gender justice.”

The association urged the NCW to extend financial support for at least another year while the state government finalizes the institutionalization of the project. “Ensuring continued support for these Special Cells is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative to protect and uphold the rights, dignity, and well-being of women,” the association stated, urging the NCW to take decisive action in restoring and institutionalizing these crucial services.

The association urged NCW Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar to intervene immediately and extend financial support for the Special Cells for at least another year while the state government finalizes its institutional process. “We urge the NCW to take decisive action in protecting the rights of women in J&K and ensuring that the fight against gender-based violence remains a top priority,” it added.