National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body in India established in 1992. It aims to protect and promote women’s rights. The NCW was created under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. It reviews issues related to women’s rights and makes recommendations for their protection.
Composition of the NCW
The NCW comprises the following members:
- Chairperson: Appointed by the Central Government, must be committed to women’s causes.
- Members: Five members with expertise in law, trade unionism, administration, or women’s organisations. One member must represent Scheduled Castes and one Scheduled Tribes.
- Member-Secretary: An expert in management or a civil service officer with relevant experience.
Each member holds office for three years.
Removal of Members
Members can be removed by the Central Government under specific circumstances:
- If declared insolvent.
- If engaged in paid employment outside their duties.
- If deemed incapable of acting.
- If declared of unsound mind.
- If convicted of a moral turpitude offense.
Members must be given a chance to be heard before removal.
Functions and Responsibilities
The NCW has a broad range of functions:
- Investigate and examine women’s safeguards under the Constitution.
- Present annual reports to the Central Government on these safeguards.
- Recommend amendments to existing laws affecting women.
- Address complaints of rights violations and take suo moto notice of issues.
- Conduct research and promote educational initiatives.
- Advise on socio-economic development planning for women.
Powers of the NCW
The NCW possesses civil court powers, including:
- Summoning witnesses and enforcing attendance.
- Requiring document production.
- Receiving evidence on affidavits.
- Requisitioning public records.
- Issuing commissions for witness examination.
Initiatives Undertaken by the NCW
The NCW has launched various initiatives to enhance women’s status:
- Conducted ‘Gender Profiles’ across states to assess women’s empowerment.
- Addressed child marriage through legal awareness programmes.
- Reviewed laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act and proposed amendments.
- Organised workshops on economic empowerment and gender awareness.
- Established the “J&K and Ladakh Cell” to address local women’s issues.
Challenges Faced by the NCW
The NCW encounters several challenges:
- Limited Legal Power: The NCW’s recommendations are not legally binding.
- Lack of Resources: Insufficient staff and funding hinder its effectiveness.
- Inadequate Representation: Marginalised groups often lack representation on the commission.
- Limited Outreach: Difficulty reaching women in remote or illiterate areas.
Recommendations for Effective Functioning
To enhance the NCW’s effectiveness, several measures can be recommended:
- Increasing Awareness: Deploy resources to local levels to raise awareness about women’s rights.
- Strengthening Legal Powers: Grant more enforcement powers to the NCW for better action against violators.
- Increasing Funding: The government should allocate a dedicated budget for the NCW.
- Outreach Initiatives: Improve outreach to remote areas and illiterate women.
- Education and Empowerment: Establish centres for self-development and promote women’s participation in various sectors.
