Meet A S Kumari, the Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women who has been doing exemplary service ever since she took charge of the Commission in 2022. Driven with a passion to work for the upliftment of women, this role is tailor- made for her.
This Commission was formed by the Tamil Nadu government in 1993 to deal with cases related to crimes against women. It comprises of a Chairperson and 9 members. The main objectives of the Commission are to provide protection to women, to ensure their welfare, to address gender issues and to make recommendations to the government regarding issues related to women.
Kumari was born in Chennai to Shanmuga Sundaram, a college professor and to Mona, a school teacher. She has 3 siblings, an elder sister, an elder brother and a younger brother.
She did her schooling at the KRC Girls Higher Secondary School in Muthialpet. She completed her Pre University Course at Ethiraj College and pursued BSc in Food and Nutrition at Queen Mary’s College. She followed it up with a PG Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology in VHS Hospital at Taramani and later did a correspondence course in MBA- Hospital Administration.
Kumari was very active even during her school days and was part of the NCC. She joined the NCC Air Wing when she was in college and is the recipient of a prize at the national level aeromodelling competition.
She is married to a lawyer P.Vijayakumar and is blessed with a daughter Pavithra Priya.
After completing her education, Kumari joined the rolls of Apollo Hospital in Chennai as a Senior Scientific Officer and also served as the Staff Union General Secretary for about 30 years.
Being an active member of the ruling DMK party, she was appointed as the Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women in 2022. The office functions at Chepauk and functions from 10 am to 5.45 pm though her work gets prolonged on most of the days due to a number of women who visit the commission to air their grievances.
According to Kumari, most women who approach the Commission are from the underprivileged sector and they receive around 80 to 90 letters a day by post. Around 10 to 12 women walk in everyday with their grievances. She gives them a patient hearing for about 15 to 20 minutes and helps them to get justice.
Her work involves creation of awareness programmes, holding medical camps, giving recommendations to the government, running a helpline for women, visiting old age homes, taking up issues related to violation of rights of women and initiating follow-up action with the concerned authorities etc. The Commisssion works in tandem with the district collectors and the Social Welfare Department.
The Commission also investigates specific problems of women and takes up studies regarding women’s issues. It is vested with powers to safeguard the rights of women and ensure their protection against all forms of harassment within the family and community.
She has arranged for conducting around 600 medical camps so far for the underprivileged sections of society.
Another area that the Commission concentrates on is cyber crime. They have conducted seminars for college students in 7 cities to enlighten the students about cyber crime and the precautions they need to take to stay safe.
Kumari is a workaholic and loves her busy schedule to the core. She feels restless if there is an idle moment. She unwinds after a hectic day either by watching a movie or by relaxing with her grandchildren.
In the words of author Isabel Allende “I can promise you that women working together-linked, informed and educated can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet’’.
Juliana Sridhar is a lawyer and columnist
