NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN 

Introduction

1. 1974: International Year for Women
2. UN asked member countries to submit report on status of women
3. India: Committee on status of women in India
1. Report; Towards equality report
4. National Commission for Women Act 1990
1. sec 3 provides for constitution of commission
2. one chairperson
3. 5 members from numerous fields
4. member secretary adapt in field of management, organisational structure
5. all member are nominated by President on the advice of CoM
6. 1 member from SC and ST
5. functions
1. review development of women
2. identify reasons for deprived status and suggest remedial action
3. take up cases of violation
4. participate in planning mechanism for soci-economic development
5. enjoy authority of civil court
6. take suo moto cognisance of matters related to women
6. recommendations are not binding
7. sec 10(1) provide for 14 point directive
1. safeguarding rights of women
2. study of problems and make recommendation to solve
3. evaluate the status of Indian women
4. funding and fighting case wrt rights' violation
8. powers of commission
1. while examining any matter has power of civil court
1. summon attendance of person
2. discovery/production of any document
3. public record from any office
9. shortcoming of commission
1. National Policy on Women 2001, Charter of national commission of women calls for empowerment but the commission has power only of protection
2. the commission has only women members so lack of collaborative efforts
3. funding from govt so can't be critical of govt
4. never played with regard to AFSPA
5. body depends on the inclination of chairperson
6. 2 centres of power: chairperson and member secretary
10. empowerment of women
1. social political, economic, cultural
2. infrastructure: protection of women
3. institutional: recommendatory nature
4. Attitudinal
11. critical evaluation
1. failed miserably
2. members lack transformational ideology
12. achievement
1. legal cell has proposed modification in no. of acts and proposed  a no. of bills
2. recommended amendments to Hindu marriage act, medical termination of pregnancy and Indian Penal Code
3. adultery to be made civil offence
13. way forward
1. male members
2. independent funds for commission
3. recommendations to be made mandatory
4. hold consultative mechanism with section of society