New Delhi, May 6, 2025 — In a significant development for women’s welfare in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the immediate reconstitution of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which has remained largely non-functional over the past few months. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the commission’s inability to process over 1,500 pending complaints.
The declaration was made at the Rashtriya Mahila Aapke Ghar Jan Sunwai programme, where CM Gupta personally interacted with citizens to hear their grievances. One of the issues raised during the event was from a parent whose two daughters were facing harassment — an incident that highlighted the urgent need for a fully functioning women’s commission in the capital.
Operational Breakdown of the DCW
The DCW has been grappling with a serious staff crunch and funding issues since 2023. A major blow came when the Women and Child Development (WCD) department terminated the services of 223 contractual workers last year, citing irregularities in recruitment under the previous administration. This led to a near-paralysis of the commission’s functioning, leaving hundreds of cases unattended.
Adding to the leadership vacuum, former DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal resigned in early 2024 after her nomination to the Rajya Sabha. Since then, the commission has operated without a permanent head, further delaying interventions in sensitive women’s safety cases across Delhi.
Government Response and Statement
In her public address at the Jan Sunwai, CM Rekha Gupta acknowledged the public frustration and emphasized the government’s resolve to strengthen institutions meant to serve women in distress.
“Solving every problem of the public is our duty as well as our top priority,” she wrote in a post on social media.
“Today, I listened to people’s concerns, understood them, and have directed officials for their immediate resolution. The Delhi Commission for Women will soon be reconstituted so it can serve the purpose it was created for.”
The Chief Minister’s announcement has been received with cautious optimism, especially among women’s rights groups and legal advocates who have been raising alarms about the DCW’s stalled operations.
A Critical Time for Action
Delhi has witnessed a persistent rise in gender-based crimes, and the absence of a proactive women’s commission has created a vacuum in response and redressal. The reconstitution of the DCW is expected to include not only the appointment of a new chairperson but also a complete overhaul of administrative and support staff.
While specific timelines were not mentioned, officials from the WCD department have indicated that the process of appointing leadership and fresh staffers will begin immediately.
With over 1,500 unresolved cases, the upcoming days will be crucial for the DCW to restore its credibility and operational strength.