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LEGAL AID CLINIC FOR WOMEN
LEGAL AID CLINIC FOR WOMEN
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Recently, the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has launched a Legal Aid Clinic.
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It is a single-window facility for resolving grievances of women by offering them free legal assistance.
NCW is also planning to set up similar legal services clinics in other State Commissions for Women.
Under the new legal aid clinic, counselling will be provided for walk-in complainants, women in distress will be given legal assistance, advice and information on various schemes of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)/ DSLSA, assistance in mahila jansunwai, free legal aid, hearings in matrimonial cases and other complaints registered with the Commission will be provided among other services.
NALSA (National Legal Services Authority)
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 which came into force on 9th November, 1995 to establish a nationwide uniform network for providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society.
The Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief and the second senior most Judge of Supreme Court of India is the Executive Chairman of the Authority.
Article 39 A of the Constitution provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society, to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity. Article 14 and Article 22 (1), obligates State to ensure equality before law.
It can be noted that the role played by NALSA and its networks is very much relevant to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal-16 , which seeks to "Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels".
Persons Eligible for Free Legal Services
- Women and Children
- Persons with disability
- Member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribes
- Industrial Workmen
- Persons in custody
- Victims of natural disasters, ethnic/caste violence, industrial disaster
- Victims of Human Trafficking or Begar
- Persons with an annual income of less than Rs. 1,00,000/- or as notified by the Central/State Governments.
National Commission for Women
- It was set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.
- Its mission is to strive towards enabling women to achieve equality and equal participation in all spheres of life by securing her due rights and entitlements through suitable policy formulation, legislative measures, etc.
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