New Delhi, Delhi Oct 28, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Vigil Kanethara Spotted At Addressing CEDAW Committee at 94th Pre-Session, UN Geneva
Geneva—At the 94th Pre-sessional Working Group of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), convened online at the United Nations Office in Geneva, the All India Sustainable Development Council (AISDC) brought urgent attention to critical gender and justice issues facing Indian women and indigenous communities.
Speaking for AISDC, Vigil Kanethara highlighted that despite progressive national policies for women’s protection, repeated failures and delays by state law enforcement—in states like Kerala—leave women vulnerable and often silenced when seeking justice. This systematic non-response by police and officials amounts to a denial of access to justice and protection, violating CEDAW Articles 2 & 15.
AISDC also pressed the Committee on the ongoing exploitation of female frontline health workers (ASHA), who endure institutionalized discrimination and irregular wages. The Council described this as entrenched economic inequity against women in public service roles.
A further focal point was the targeted violence and atrocity crimes faced by indigenous women, including land-linked harassment and systemic impunity. Vigil Kanethara called for urgent international monitoring and accountability to address these patterns, which indicate broader social injustice.
AISDC formally requested support from CEDAW to:
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Address persistent state failures to respond to women’s complaints;
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Ensure timely payment and protection for ASHA workers;
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Implement mechanisms to track and prosecute atrocity crimes against indigenous women.
Reflecting on interventions by Advocate Vrinda Grover, who represented India, Vigil Kanethara expressed appreciation for Grover’s advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities and highlighted the alarming rise in child marriage, central to CEDAW’s agenda.
AISDC emphasized the urgent need for improved rights awareness among law authorities regarding indigenous peoples in India, advocating enhanced training and sensitization.
Council’s Commitment:
AISDC leads anti-trafficking, anti-drug, and women-led community protection initiatives and holds special accreditation with UNODC. AISDC will further present at the UN High-Level Meeting on the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, New York, 24–25 November 2025.
For media inquiries, please contact:
All India Sustainable Development Council
Protocol@globalsc.in
Issued by:
Dr.Navneet Kour,
Special Protocol Officer for AISDC to UNODC and Vice Chairperson to AISDC, India
on behalf of the All India Sustainable Development Council
Media Contact
ALL INDIA SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (KANETHARA TRUSTS) KANETHARATRUST@GMAIL.COM +918882346286 ALL INDIA SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, 352/E-5. TOKAS BUILDINGS,OPP PAL DAIRY,JNU PO, NEW DELHI-110067 http://www.globalsc.uk
