National Commission For Women

In January 1992, the government of India formed a regulatory body called the “National Commission for Women (NCW)” under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, for the protection and promotion of women’s rights in India. The bill for the commission was introduced in Lok Sabha in May 1990; the HRD Ministry held a national level conference in July 1990 to get feedback on the bill. In August 1990, the government adopted many revisions and new rules. Finally, on August 30, 1990, the President passed the bill, and the first National Commission for Women of India came into existence. 

The Women’s Act of 1990 stated that the NCW must have a minimum of four members and a maximum of eleven members, with at least one of them being a woman. The commission comprises:

1. A chairperson who is committed to the cause of women

2. Five members from the fields of law, trade unionism, management of a female-dominated business, women’s activism, administration, education, economic development, or social welfare

3. A member secretary who is an expert in organisational structure, management, or sociological movement, or an officer or member of the union’s civil service.

The central government nominates all the committee members. Jayanti Patnaik became the first National Commission for Women Chairperson. Rekha Sharma was appointed as the chairperson in November 2018 and continues to hold the position to this day. 

Mission

India has been a male-dominated society since its inception. As a result, women have always been oppressed in society. But women do not belong to a minority group. There were no provisions in the Indian constitution. All the articles in it were gender-neutral and did not explicitly benefit women. As a result, some strategic initiatives were required to strengthen and improve the situation or standing of women in this patriarchal society. In 1992, the government established the National Commission for Women with a mission to: 

• Evaluate women’s constitutional rights

• Recommend compensatory legislative measures

• Promote resolution of grievances

• Advise the government on all issues affecting women

Activities

To address the multifaceted problem of violence against women in India, NCW has adopted multidimensional approaches, such as:

• Review and suggest revisions to existing sections of the constitution and other laws affecting women and any gaps, deficiencies, or shortfalls in such legislation

• Promote legal awareness among women, ‌equipping them with knowledge of and the ability to exercise their legal rights

• Provide pre-litigation to assist women in resolving their grievances

• Organise Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats in various parts of the country to speed up the delivery of justice to women

• Investigate complaints and take action on concerns on an ad hoc basis on violation of women’s rights

• Review the existing provisions of the constitution and other laws that affect women regularly

• Investigate and evaluate all issues relevant to the constitutional and other legal protections for women and take up matters where the constitution and other laws are violated

• Invest in litigation involving issues affecting many women

• Conduct promotional and educational research to suggest ways of ensuring equal representation of women in all spheres and identifying factors that obstruct their advancement

• Organise promotional actions to engage women and get information about their status, as well as advocate for a significant change in women’s empowerment

• Give advice on the socio-economic growth of women

• Assess the progress of women’s development in the Union and in any state

• Inspect the places of custody where women are held as prisoners or otherwise, and‌ bring the matter to the attention of the relevant authorities for remedial action

• Carry out special studies or inquiries into specific issues or circumstances stemming from prejudice and injustices against women.

Cells of the National Commission for Women

Each cell of the commission performs its distinct activity, as decided by the commission. The various cells of the National Commission for Women are:

1. Complaints and Investigation Cell

This cell handles complaints received under Section 10 of the NCW Act, whether oral, written or suo moto.

2. Non-Resident Indians Cell (NRI Cell)

It focuses on the issues of Indian women who their foreign Indian spouses have abandoned.

3. Legal Cell

This cell examines the constitutional safeguards, makes legislative recommendations, promotes justice, and advises the government.

4. Public Relations Cell

It handles all the campaigns, workshops, and consultations on the commission’s mission across the country.

5. PPMRC Cell

It is in charge of matters concerning women’s socioeconomic status matters, and it requests specific studies or inquiries into specific problems or situations.

6. North East Cell

It carries out NCW’s mission concerning the states in the North-East region of India.

Conclusion

The National Commission for Women is the apex body serving women in India, aiming to protect women and their rights. It taught Indian women about the importance of women’s empowerment. This commission remains necessary in today’s world, given how women are still perceived in our culture.