Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, NCW, represented the Commission at Panel Discussion on “Justice J.S. Verma Committee Report: Implications and Way Forward” organized by the PHD Chamber, PHD House, New Delhi on 22.07.2013. 

The programme started with Ganesh Vandana and welcome address was given by Sh. Suman Jyoti Khaitan, President, PHD Chamber. 

The Chief Guest of the programme was Hon’ble Justice Shri A K Sikri, Judge Supreme Court of India. Justice Sikri is well known within women community for giving landmark decisions as head of a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court by issuing directions to the states of Punjab and Haryana and Chandigarh administration on what remedial measures to take to curb the menace of crime against women. Earlier he had also noted that Judges have to be sensitized about securing out speedy justice in cases related to crime against women, elders, children and discrimination against HIV-infected persons. He spoke about the landmark judgements given by him while he was the Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court; and admitted the need for the sensitization of the judiciary who are also the member of the same society, and possibly may have pre-conceived notions. He stressed that training was being conducted at the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal for removal of pre-conceived notions. 

Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, NCW making a special representation said that there was a fear among some women organizations that discussion on inequity and gender will die down after the passing of the Criminal Amendment Act, 2013. She added that it was indeed heartening to know that PHD has constituted a Task Force for Women and Child Development in which she herself is a Member and are taking forward by discussing the implications of Justice Verma Committee report. In this context she informed the august gathering that the Justice Verma Committee report had included all the suggestions made by the National Commission for Women. 

Theme Presentation was given by Ms. Anuradha Goel, Chairperson, Task Force on Women & Child Development, PHD Chamber, Key Note Address by Dr. Kiran Bedi, and Ms. Arpana Caur, Contemporary Indian Artist also participated in the panel discussion.