National Commission for Women
Why in News?
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recently been in the headlines primarily for observing its 34th Foundation Day, launching nationwide safety campaigns like ‘Campus Calling’, expanding pre-marital communication centres, and addressing a surge in domestic violence and workplace harassment complaints.
Overview & Structure
- Status: A statutory body established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.
- Inception: Officially constituted on 31st January 1992.
- Headquarters: Located in New Delhi.
- Current Leadership: Smt. Vijaya K. Rahatkar serves as the current Chairperson.
- Composition: Consists of a Chairperson, five members (with expertise in law/management), and a Member Secretary. All are appointed by the Central Government.
Major Functions & Mandate
- Safeguard Review: Evaluates the constitutional and legal protections available to women in India.
- Policy Advice: Advises the Union and State governments on legislative changes and policies affecting women.
- Suo-Moto Cognizance: Possesses the power to initiate investigations on its own (suo-moto) in cases of extreme rights violations.
- Civil Court Powers: Enjoys the powers of a civil court while investigating complaints, allowing it to summon witnesses and look over public records.
- Custodial Inspections: Regularly inspects jails, remand homes, and shelter houses where women are kept to ensure safe conditions.
Key Achievements & Initiatives
- Law Enforcement: Successfully recommended updates to the Dowry Prohibition Act, Domestic Violence Act, and gender-centric clauses in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- PoSH Awareness Workshops: Conducts specialized training for Internal Committees on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) in government departments and universities.
- ‘She is a Change Maker’: A running project focused on improving the political and leadership skills of grassroots women representatives.
Challenges Faced by the Commission
- No Enforcement Powers: Its recommendations are purely advisory; it cannot directly punish violators or enforce its final rulings.
- Financial Dependency: Functions primarily via grants released by the Central Government, which limits standalone budget allocations.
- Political Appointments: Critics highlight that since members are directly chosen by the ruling government, it risks political interference.
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