Having served as a social worker for more than 30 years from now and lending her service to the BJP on various important capacities, Kalyani Sharan has been appointed as the Chairperson of Jharkhand State Women’s Commission recently. In a detailed interview with the Pioneer, Sharan pledged to work for the welfare of women after taking the charge and also discussed about her projects, priorities, plans. Excerpts:
What plans are there to take State Women’s Commission to the next level while ensuring all facilitiesIJ
I am familiar with the work of Women’s Commission as I have already served as a member of commission, my foremost priority will be to dispose cases in a short span. Though people term the Commission toothless but I have observed the amount of trust females have on this Commission dedicated to women welfare. It has a limitation that binds each one of us to go beyond the set parameters. I will work and take decisions that will benefit the Commission in the long run.
Jharkhand registers maximum number of trafficking, witchcraft cases yet the Commission fails to take Suo-motto cognisance on time. What you have to say on thisIJ
Although the commission is slow but cases are being resolved and that too in quite a good number, since the Commission has limited powers accordingly the steps are taken up. Suo-motto cognizance is taken on news reports as per the requirements without a delay. We also have to abide the rules that are set for State Women’s Commission.
From a social activist to a Chairperson of Women’s Commission, how far your priorities have changed nowIJ
Here more legal complexities are involved with every case that is referred to the Commission. As a social activist, I feel, there is a requirement for a rigorous campaigning for explaining females their rights, reservation policy, laws and educate them on issues that have hampered their identity to an extent as even today we receive cases of domestic violence, dowry deaths etc.
What type of cases comes to State Women’s Commission now a day when people are more inclined towards social mediaIJ
Maximum cases of extra marital affairs come to State Women’s Commission, as a member I have witnessed this trend. However, these cases are not just the result of social media influence but some religious persuade is also associated with it as quite a number of cases from Muslim community of extra marital affairs are registered here.