Experts deliberate on women’s property and agricultural land rights, workplace safety and issues concerning senior citizens at TISS
Mumbai, October 2026: A comprehensive review of state-specific laws and the formulation of practical and actionable recommendations are essential to bridge the gap between the rights guaranteed to women under law and the justice they receive in practice, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said on Monday.
She was speaking as the chief guest at a consultation on the review of state-specific laws organised jointly by the National Commission for Women, Maharashtra State Commission for Women and the School of Law, Rights and Constitutional Governance (SLRCG) of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, at the S. Parshuram Hall at TISS.
The consultation covered several issues, including women’s inheritance and property rights, ownership of agricultural land, the situation of women in families affected by farmer suicides, workplace safety, access to justice, and laws concerning the rights and protection of senior citizens.
Women’s Empowerment Must Go Beyond Participation in Agriculture
Referring to Maharashtra’s women farmers’ policy, Rahatkar said meaningful empowerment of women cannot be limited to recognising their participation in agricultural work.
“It is equally important to examine whether land is registered in a woman’s name, whether her inheritance rights have been recorded and whether she has the authority to take decisions relating to agricultural resources,” she said.
Women’s rights over property are not merely a matter of inheritance, but are closely linked to their economic independence, security and decision-making capacity. Despite having legal rights, many women do not receive actual ownership because of social pressure, family-related difficulties, lack of awareness about the law and hurdles in registering inheritance.
Rahatkar said concrete measures were therefore required to reduce the gap between legal rights and their actual implementation.
Need for a Comprehensive Approach to Senior Citizens’ Issues
During the review of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, Rahatkar said the concerns of senior citizens should not be viewed only from the perspective of financial assistance or maintenance.
Their rights to healthcare, housing, safety, emotional support, social participation and a dignified life must also be taken into consideration, she said.
Senior women may face additional vulnerabilities due to widowhood, financial dependence, loneliness and lack of family support. Therefore, while framing laws and policies for senior citizens, their specific needs, particularly those of elderly women, must be taken into account, Rahatkar said.
Review of State-Specific Laws a Key NCW Responsibility
Rahatkar said reviewing laws is one of the important responsibilities of the National Commission for Women. This year, the Commission had organised consultations across different parts of the country while reviewing the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act and sought views from experts.
Following a similar approach, the NCW has now initiated a process to review state-specific laws concerning women in different states, she said.
The consultations are expected to examine whether there are gaps in existing laws, legal loopholes, difficulties in implementation and whether adequate coordination exists among various government agencies.
The recommendations emerging from the consultations will be documented and submitted to the Maharashtra and Central governments. They could be used for framing new laws, amending existing legislation and preparing guidelines and policies, Rahatkar said.
Appreciation for TISS and Maharashtra State Women’s Commission
Rahatkar appreciated TISS and its School of Law for taking the initiative to review state-specific laws. She also commended the field-level and legal initiatives being undertaken through the SLRCG in association with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women.
Prof. Arvind Tiwari of TISS’s School of Law, Rights and Constitutional Governance spoke about the institution’s establishment and its work in legal education and access to justice. TISS Registrar Dr Narendra Mishra welcomed the participants.
Experts Share Legal Perspectives
During the first session, advocates Puneet Chaturvedi and Rupali Gothwal addressed the issue of women’s rights over property and agricultural land.
In the afternoon session, Justice Pravin Kumbhajkar spoke on the use of mediation and counselling in disputes involving senior citizens.
Dr Sonali Kusum, Assistant Professor and Programme Coordinator at TISS’s SLRCG, reviewed a significant 2026 Bombay High Court judgment in Priya Tanaji Kumbhar and Others vs State of Maharashtra, dealing with vulnerabilities faced by senior citizens, particularly widowed women.
The programme was attended by educationists, faculty members from colleges and universities, students, advocates, government pleaders, representatives of civil society organisations, Maharashtra government officials and para-legal volunteers from the Mumbai District Legal Services Authority.
The consultation concluded with a commitment to develop effective measures to bridge the gap between the objectives of the law and its implementation, ensuring that women and senior citizens receive their legal rights with dignity, security and timely access to justice.
Among those present were Mumbai District Legal Services Authority Member Secretary Justice Vivek Deshmukh, Mumbai Suburban District Legal Services Authority Member Secretary Justice Mukul Chitale, District Legal Services Authorities of Thane and Palghar Member Secretary Justice Ravindra Panzankar, TISS Registrar Dr Narendra Mishra, Prof Arvind Tiwari, Maharashtra State Commission for Women Member Secretary Nandini Awade, Deputy Secretary Dr Padmashree Bainade, Konkan Divisional Deputy Commissioner Suvarna Pawar, Mumbai Suburban District Women and Child Development Officer Sharad Kurhade and Thane Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Women and Child Welfare, Shobha Shelar, along with experts and officials from various fields.
