The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body established under The National Commission for Women Act, 1990, on January 31, 1992. It was set up
The NCW works towards the empowerment of women and aims to ensure gender equality and protection of women’s rights across various spheres of life.
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Accordingly, the First Commission was constituted on January 31, 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the Chairperson.
The National Commission for Women consists of a Chairperson and five members.
As of today, the Chairperson of National Commission for Women is Mrs. Rekha Sharma. She was appointed as Chairperson on August 7, 2018.
Fundamental Rights: It guarantees all Indians the right to equality (Article 14), no discrimination by the State based on gender (Article 15(1)), and special provisions to be made by the State in favor of women (Article 15(3)).
Fundamental Duties: It ensures that practices derogatory to the dignity of women are prohibited under Article 51 (A).
The National Commission for Women (NCW) in India has several key functions aimed at promoting and safeguarding the rights and interests of women. Some of its primary functions include:
1. Investigation and Inquiry: The NCW investigates and inquires into complaints received from women regarding any violation of their rights or safeguards provided under the Constitution and other laws.
2. Recommendations: Based on its findings, the Commission makes recommendations to the government on issues concerning the rights and welfare of women. These recommendations can include legislative measures, policy changes, or administrative actions.
3. Legal Aid and Assistance: The NCW provides assistance and support to women in accessing legal aid and representation, particularly in cases related to discrimination, harassment, or violence against women.
4. Awareness and Education: It works towards raising awareness among women about their rights and entitlements through various educational and outreach programs. This includes workshops, seminars, campaigns, and publications aimed at empowering women with knowledge about their legal rights.
5. Research and Documentation: The Commission conducts research and documentation on issues affecting women, including gender-based violence, discrimination, socio-economic disparities, and other relevant topics. This helps in identifying trends, patterns, and areas requiring intervention.
6. Intervention and Advocacy: NCW intervenes in cases of injustice or discrimination against women, advocating for their rights and seeking redressal through appropriate legal and administrative channels.
7. Policy Formulation: It contributes to the formulation of policies and programs aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, both at the national and state levels.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: The Commission monitors the implementation of laws, policies, and programs related to women’s rights and evaluates their effectiveness in achieving the desired objectives.
By performing these functions, the National Commission for Women plays a crucial role in addressing issues related to gender inequality, discrimination, and violence against women, and in advocating for policies and measures that promote their welfare and empowerment.
While the National Commission for Women (NCW) in India plays a significant role in advocating for women’s rights and addressing gender-based issues, it also faces several challenges and drawbacks:
1. Limited Enforcement Power: The NCW lacks the authority to enforce its recommendations or decisions. It can only make recommendations to the government, which may or may not be implemented. This limits its effectiveness in ensuring justice for women and holding perpetrators accountable.
2. Under-Representation of Marginalized Groups: There is a concern that the NCW primarily represents the interests of urban, educated, and privileged women, while often neglecting the issues faced by marginalized and disadvantaged groups such as rural women, Dalit women, tribal women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
3. Inadequate Resources: The Commission often faces resource constraints, including insufficient funding, staff shortages, and logistical challenges, which can hinder its ability to effectively carry out its mandate and address the wide range of issues affecting women.
4. Delayed Response and Redressal: Complaints lodged with the NCW may face delays in processing and resolution, leading to frustration and disillusionment among complainants. The lengthy legal procedures and bureaucratic hurdles further contribute to delayed justice for women.
5. Political Interference: There have been instances where the NCW’s autonomy and impartiality have been compromised due to political interference or influence, leading to concerns about its independence and credibility in addressing women’s issues objectively.
6. Limited Outreach and Awareness: Despite its efforts to raise awareness about women’s rights, the NCW’s outreach programs may not reach all segments of society, particularly in remote and marginalized areas. This limits its ability to empower women with knowledge about their rights and entitlements.
7. Focus on Symptomatic Solutions: The NCW sometimes focuses on addressing the symptoms of gender-based issues rather than tackling the root causes, such as deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes, social norms, and systemic inequalities. This can result in superficial solutions that fail to bring about meaningful and sustainable change.
8. Legal and Institutional Challenges: The effectiveness of the NCW is also hindered by legal and institutional challenges, including gaps in existing laws, inadequate implementation mechanisms, and institutional biases within the justice system.
Addressing these drawbacks requires concerted efforts to strengthen the NCW’s institutional capacity, enhance its independence and autonomy, ensure inclusivity in its representation, and address the systemic barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment in society.
For the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination, it’s important for aspirants to have a basic understanding of the role, functions, and significance of institutions like the NCW in India, especially in the context of social welfare, women’s rights, and governance. Questions related to the NCW and its functions may appear in topics like polity, governance, social issues, or even in essay papers. Understanding its mandate, initiatives, and challenges can provide valuable insights for candidates preparing for the civil services examination.
Download The National Commission for Women Act, 1990 in PDF.
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