The role and efficacy of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women in both public and private spheres have been a subject of considerable debate. Established with the mandate to safeguard and promote the rights of women in India, the NCW plays a crucial role in formulating strategies to address issues ranging from gender-based violence to workplace discrimination. However, the extent to which the commission has been able to strategize effectively and tackle these problems remains a matter of scrutiny. On one hand, the NCW has made significant strides in raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and providing a platform for women to voice their grievances. The commission has been instrumental in influencing legal reforms and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s safety and empowerment. On the other hand, challenges persist, such as the slow pace of legal proceedings, inadequate resources, and the need for more proactive measures to tackle deep-rooted societal norms. This essay will explore both perspectives, examining the successes and limitations of the NCW in fulfilling its mandate, and providing reasons to evaluate whether the commission is truly equipped to strategically address the diverse challenges women encounter in both public and private spheres.
Tag: Governance; statutory regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to briefly write about the National Commission for Women (NCW).
- In Body,
- Write how NCW strategies and tackle the problems of women.
- Mention some challenges in addressing these problems.
- Suggest some measures to address issues.
- In Conclusion, try to write the overall significance of NCW in the upliftment of women.
Answer:
The National Commission for Women is a statutory organization formed in 1992. It is mandated to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislature measures; facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.
Strategies and Means to Tackle the Problems of Women by the NCW:
- Since its inception, the Commission has occupied considerable space in protecting the rights of a weaker section of the population on gender lines.
- In the past, it has proposed amendments to the acts such as IPC, 1860 to curb the sale of minor girls, the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 to omit epilepsy as grounds for divorce, Dowry Prohibition Act to bring the problems of Dowry deaths in to the limelight and deal with them appropriately etc.
- It had also proposed the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill which was passed in 2005.
- In recent times, the Commission has adopted the multi-pronged strategy of assisting women in redressal of their grievances, facilitating speedy delivery of justice to women by organizing Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats in different parts of the country as well as launching the awareness campaign regarding women’s rights.
- NCW was instrumental in the campaign against Triple Talak and conducted detailed studies about the practice in various nations. It sought to protect women from arbitrary divorces.
- NCW has undertaken various steps for the rehabilitation of acid attack victims .It has also recommended legislative and policy initiatives for preventing acid attacks.
- NCW has regularly held seminars, research as well as awareness drive. It has also partnered with NGOs and provided them with grants to widen its reach.
- NCW has undertaken inspection of jails and promoted the idea of violence-free home. The government should take steps to make the body more independent.
- Further, its Research Cell looks into the emerging problems of Indian women due to discrimination and gender bias.
Challenges for NCW:
- Lack of funds: It is dependent on the grants of the Union government. Its financial assistance is very less to operate activities and awareness programmes.
- Lack of power: It does not have legislative power and power to select its members. It only recommends amendments and submits reports, which are not binding on the government.
- It only gives attention to those cases which are in the limelight. Unreported cases of oppression and suppression of women are not given much importance.
- The commission is dominated by political and bureaucratic class people resulting in interference in its working.
Measures to Strengthen the NCW:
- The commission should be given more autonomy and power to recruit its members, for merit-based employment without any political biases.
- There should be an increase in the representation of women in the commission for a better understanding of women’s issues.
- The reports and recommendations of the commission should be given prominence while formulating the policies.
Thus, it can be seen that though the NCW has done some good work for the women in India, the above-mentioned shortcomings must be addressed and must increase awareness by conducting country-wide campaigns, workshops and consultations. More awareness has to be created especially among the rural women about the existence of the Commission. The Commission can employ a person at the district level to bring to light the atrocities occurring at the district level.
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