Pune: In an effort to provide crucial support to women facing various forms of abuse and violence, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has established women empowerment centers under all its 15 regional offices.

These centers are part of a broader initiative to promote women’s empowerment and offer a lifeline to women who may not have access to legal resources.

One of the key services provided at these centers is free legal advice, which has been a great help to women from economically weaker sections of society.

Across Pune, many women face challenges such as domestic violence and public harassment. Often, these women do not seek legal recourse due to fear, lack of knowledge about their rights, or not knowing where to go for help.

Recognizing this, the Social Development Department of the PMC has taken proactive steps to ensure that women in need have access to free and confidential legal advice close to their homes.

This initiative, led by Deputy Commissioner Nitin Udas, aims to empower women by giving them the tools to fight back against injustice.

Each of the 15 ward offices in Pune has been assigned a lawyer who specializes in women's empowerment issues. These lawyers are tasked with providing legal guidance, issuing notices when necessary, and representing cases in court, all at no cost to the victims.

To ensure the success of this program, the Municipal Corporation had called for applications from qualified lawyers, and as a result, 23 lawyers have been appointed on an honorarium basis.

The appointed lawyers work diligently to support victimized women by offering expert legal advice, helping them navigate the legal system, and ensuring their cases are heard.

The service is not only free but is also conducted with the highest degree of confidentiality to protect the privacy and dignity of the women seeking help.

This initiative is a critical step toward ensuring that women in Pune can access the legal aid they need to defend their rights and take action against perpetrators of violence.