Mamta Sharma has taken charge as chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW).
She took over from Yasmeen Abrar, who was the acting chairperson after Girija Vyas demitted office.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Ms. Sharma said her focus would be on women's empowerment.
Empowerment would bring down atrocities against women as they would be able to stand up for their rights.
Another thrust area would be protection of the girl child for building a healthy society. It was imperative to safeguard the interests of young girls, provide them with a safe and healthy environment and bring about attitudinal changes in the iscriminatory attitudes.
Ms. Sharma, a Congress leader from Rajasthan, was a member of the Legislative Assembly and also the president of the Rajasthan State Women Congress Committee.
Charu Wali Khanna also took over as member of the NCW on Tuesday.
She was the executive member of the Supreme Court Bar Association.