NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

Why in news?

RTI query into political affiliation of NCW chairperson

ABOUT

National Commission for women is a statutory body set up under the National Commission for Women Act 1990

COMPOSITION

1. The Commission consists of :-
   1. A Chairperson, , to be nominated by the Central Government.
   2. five Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who have had experience in law or legislation, trade unionism, management of an industry potential of women, women’s voluntary organisations ( including women activist ), administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare;  
      Provided that at least one Member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively;
   3. a Member-Secretary to be nominated by the Central Government who shall be :-
      1. an expert in the field of management, organisational structure or sociological movement, or
      2. an officer who is a member of a civil service of the Union or of an all-India service or holds a civil post under the Union with appropriate experience

MANDATE

1. Investigate and examine all matters relating to the safeguards provided for women under the Constitution and other laws,
2. present to the Central Government, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguard,
3. make in such reports recommendations for the effective implementation of those safeguards for the improving the conditions of women by the Union or any state,
4. review, from time to time, the exiting provisions of the Constitution and other laws affecting women and recommend amendments thereto so as to suggest remedial legislative measures to meet any lacunae, inadequacies or shortcomings in such legislations,
5. take up cases of violation of the provisions of the Constitution and of other laws relating to women with the appropriate authorities,
6. look into complaints and take suo moto notice of matters relating to:-
   1. deprivation of women’s rights,
   2. non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection to women and also to achieve the objective of equality and development,
   3. non-compliance of policy decisions,guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships and ensuring welfare and providing relief to women, and take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities,
7. call for special studies or investigations into specific problems or situations arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women and identify the constraints so as to recommend strategies for their removal,

 etc.