Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar

{{Short description|Indian politician}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Vijaya Rahatkar

| honorific-prefix =

| image = Mrs. Vijaya Rahatkar, President ,BJP Mahila Morcha.jpg

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1966|08|21}}

| birth_place = Aurangabad, Aurangabad district, Maharastra

| residence =

| office = 9th Chairperson
National Commission for Women

| term_start = 19 October 2024

| term_end =

| predecessor = Rekha Sharma

| successor =

| office1 = Chairperson
Maharashtra State Commission for Woman

| term_start1 = 2016

| term_end1 = 2021

| office2 = Mayor
Aurangabad Municipal Corporation

| term_start2 = 29 October 2007

| term_end2 = 28 April 2010

| party = Bharatiya Janata Party

| parents =

| spouse = Kishore Rahatkar

| profession = Politician

|children = Kalyani Rahatkar

}}

Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar (born 21 August 1966) is an Indian politician and currently serving as the 9th chairperson of the National Commission for Women, India.{{cite news |last1=India Today |title=Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar named new National Commission for Women chief |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vijaya-kishore-rahatkar-new-chairperson-of-the-national-commission-for-women-replaces-rekha-sharma-2619685-2024-10-19 |accessdate=20 October 2024 |date=19 October 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=The Hindu |title=Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar appointed new NCW chairperson |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vijaya-kishore-rahatkar-appointed-new-ncw-chairperson/article68772775.ece |accessdate=20 October 2024 |date=19 October 2024 |language=en-IN}}{{cite web | title=NCW chairperson hears 48women’s grievances in Saran | website=The Times of India | date=28 March 2025 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ncw-chairperson-hears-48womens-grievances-in-saran/articleshow/119656511.cms | access-date=2 April 2025}}{{cite web | title=Vijaya Rahatkar is Aurangabad mayor | website=oneindia.com | date=29 October 2007 | url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/10/29/vijaya-rahatkar-is-aurangabad-mayor-1193668414.html | access-date=2 April 2025}}{{cite web | last=Rajput | first=Gunjan | title=Who is Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, new NCW chief? Bio, profile and journey | website=ET Now | date=20 February 2025 | url=https://www.etnownews.com/news/who-is-vijaya-kishore-rahatkar-new-ncw-chief-bio-profile-and-journey-article-114375556 | access-date=2 April 2025}}

Vijaya holds a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in history from University of Pune. Her contributions to women's empowerment have earned her recognition, including the National Law Award and the Savitribai Phule Award from a national literary council.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024|reason=source needed to verify}}

Vijaya Rahatkar spearheaded initiatives like “Sakshama” (support for acid attack survivors), “Prajwala” (linking self-help groups to central government schemes), and “Suhita” (24x7 helpline service for women). She also worked on legal reforms focusing on issues like POCSO, anti-triple talaq cells, and anti-human trafficking units and introduced digital literacy programs, launched a publication named “Saad” dedicated to women's issues.{{cite news |last1=The Times of India |title=Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar takes over as 9th chairperson of National Commission for Women |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vijaya-kishore-rahatkar-takes-over-as-9th-chairperson-of-national-commission-for-women/articleshow/114374608.cms |access-date=20 October 2024 |date=19 October 2024}}{{cite news |first=Ronit |last1=Singh |title=Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, Former BJP Women's Wing Chief, Appointed As NCW Chairperson |url=https://www.news18.com/india/vijaya-kishore-rahatkar-former-bjp-womens-wing-chief-appointed-as-ncw-chairperson-9091715.html |access-date=20 October 2024 |date=19 October 2024 |language=en}}