On May 30 and 31, 2026, National Law University Odisha (NLUO) hosted an impactful National Consultation of Stakeholders focusing on ‘Enhancing Access to Justice for Women Victims of Domestic Violence by Rethinking Institutional Structures.’ Held at The Crown in Bhubaneswar, this pivotal event gathered a diverse group of stakeholders including leading academicians, judiciary members, police officials, government representatives, international organizations, civil society groups, and legal practitioners from across India.
This consultation aimed to develop a comprehensive protocol to improve justice accessibility for women subjected to domestic violence. The initiative is part of the ongoing project ‘Addressing Domestic Violence in Odisha through Institutionalised DV Response Protocols,’ supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Leadership for the event was provided by Prof. (Dr.) Rangin Pallav Tripathy, Registrar of NLUO, and Dr. Suman Dash Bhattamishra, Associate Professor and Controller of Examinations at NLUO. Both leaders have been integral to the project targeting domestic violence, having conducted extensive research in all 30 districts of Odisha over the past two and a half years.
The consultation featured multiple sessions focusing on crucial aspects of justice accessibility for domestic violence victims. Topics covered included empirical research on domestic violence, police response, challenges in evidence collection, institutional structure review, community engagement, legal aid, and dispute resolution in domestic violence cases.
Experts and participants engaged in meaningful dialogues to evaluate current policies, institutional mechanisms, and obstacles faced by domestic violence victims in their pursuit of justice. They also identified significant gaps in the current system and brainstormed potential solutions from various stakeholder perspectives.
The event was honored by the presence of Smt. Shyni S, I.P.S, ADGP (CAW&CW), along with notable scholars and experts from across India. Contributors included representatives from UNDP, UNICEF, the National Human Rights Commission, the State Women’s Commission, Odisha Human Rights Commission, the Law Department, Biju Pattnaik State Police Academy, Odisha Legal Service Authorities, leading universities, and civil society organizations.
A dedicated team of Project Managers, including Amlanjyoti Rout, Tanmaya Das, Manmeet Singh Arora, Raj Kishore Panda, and Sudhansu Bhusan Maharana, ensured the event’s seamless execution, facilitating a productive environment for all participants.
