NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

Subject: National Organization

Context: If the West Bengal government fails to respond to more than 260 complaints from the state in the next 15 days, the National Commission for Women (NCW) will submit details of those cases to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the panel’s Chairperson said.

Concept:

• It was set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.
• Its mission is to strive towards enabling women to achieve equality and equal participation in all spheres of life by securing her due rights and entitlements through suitable policy formulation, legislative measures, etc.
• Its functions are to:

Review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women.

Recommend remedial legislative measures.

Facilitate redressal of grievances.

Advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

Composition:

• Chairperson: The central government should nominate the chairperson.
• Five members: The five members are also to be nominated by the central government from amongst the person of ability, integrity, and standing. They should possess experience in various fields like law or legislation, trade unionism, management of industry potential of women, women’s voluntary organization, education, administration, economic development, and social good-being.
• Member Secretary: The Central Government also nominates member secretary. He/ she should be either an expert in the field of management, an organization, or an officer who is a member.