Commissions In India

National Commission For Women

One of the important statutory bodies established by the Government of India, the National Commission for Women (NCW) came into existence in the year 1992. The Central Government took the initiative to establish this Commission by keeping in view the provisions of India’s constitution to uplift the womenfolk in entire country.

About National Commission for Women

National Commission for Women was established in 1992 under the provisions of the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Central Government established this Commission to uplift the womenfolk through addressing plights, suppressions and other types of atrocities they used to face. NCW also takes the initiatives for overall development of women community in whole country.

Mandate

Main aim of NCW is to demonstrate in the entire country a voice for the women and to represent itself for their rights. This Commission takes into account the issues and concerns of women community and advises for the genuine solution of all the problems they face. This Commission takes into consideration many common issues related to women and their suppression from dowry to religious or political factors and most importantly their equal representation in job market and or all sorts of exploitations they face.

This Commission has been mandated to look into all such matters including the police or any other type of abuses against women and to suggest best possible solution available. NCW publishes a bi-lingual monthly newsletter named Rashtra Mahila in Hindi & English languages.  

Working of NCW

With its establishment in 1992, NCW became statutory body and kept taking many steps for the protection of women. It also makes a point to work under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 which is the key guideline for this Commission to suggest and explore initiatives meant for women and their overall growth.

Composition of NCW

It was on January 31, 1992 that first NCW was constituted under Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik’s chairpersonship. Dr. (Mrs.) Mohini Giri was appointed chairperson of the Second NCW on July 1995. While constituting the Third NCW, the government appointed Mrs. Vibha Parthasarathy as its new chairperson on January 1999. The subsequent NCW’s are as follows:-

• 4th NCW constituted on January 2002 with chairperson Dr. Poornima Advani
• 5th NCW constituted on February 2005 with chairperson Dr. Girija Vyas  

Recommendation Reports

NCW has remained in the media glare due to one reason or the other ever since it was formed. At times it had to encounter controversies. This Commission has submitted many reports to government as recommendations to uplift the condition of women. Some of the recommendations are solely for the criminal offences that are against women while rest are associated with legal and social conditions of the women community. This Commission has submitted reports to the subsequent governments as to how women are victimized in the Indian societies.

Some of the important areas which are the focal points of the reports submitted by NCW are as mentioned below:-

• NCW reviews both constitutional and legal options for the safety and security of women and suggests the recommendations accordingly
• Its reports also recommend curative legislative measures and options
• Measures for thorough facilitation of solutions for grievances they face
• The Commission works as an advisory group on policy matters which have direct or indirect relation with womenfolk

NCW has therefore taken timely initiatives after working on set mandates to make it possible for women community in India to have improved status in terms of their economic growth and the total empowerment in all sectors.

This Commission has taken several steps through visiting various States/UTs except Lakshdweep as part of its mission to prepare a concise report for the causes which often hinder women empowerment. The issues that NCW took into account were the cases of child marriage, dowry related issues and various other exploitations. The reports submitted to governments indicated its role to design and explore different types of legal awareness programs.

Implementation of Recommendations

Upon receiving the reports from NCW the government has shown keen interest to implement the recommendations as and when they were considered feasible. The suggestions, guidelines and options for the betterment of women community have been kept into consideration for implementation of such reports which could bring a change in the women’s lifestyle in the country. Some notable recommendations which have been implemented by the government include those related to the important aspects as mentioned below:-

NCW’s suggestion for amendment of Section 198 of CrPC is encouraged which permits women to file complaints against an unfaithful husband under the law for the prosecution in case of behavior turning promiscuous

This Commission has shed light on various loopholes in Indian Penal code as it would make easy for men to file adultery charges against wives on grounds of illicit relationships whose reverse was not there in the law until the point was brought into focus by NCW

• Suggestions and advises for guaranteeing total security in the unconventional relationships has been promoted for the sake of empowering women

If understood in the backdrop of the committee on the Status of Women in India or CSWI the roles of NCW is in line with that perspective only which is the constant research of approximately twenty years. The setting up of this Commission was mainly aimed at fulfilling surveillance functions which is effective in terms of its role to resolve the grievances and make sure that women community is accelerated in all fronts from their socio-economic development to attaining status in the society.