National Commission for Women

Why is in news? President of India graces the foundation day celebration of National Commission for women

The President of India graced the Foundation Day Celebration of National Commission for Women in New Delhi on January 31, 2023.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it is not possible to imagine a strong and healthy society without women empowerment.

Together we have to work towards creating an environment where all women can fully participate and contribute in the socio-economic, cultural and political spheres significantly.

Women empowerment is not just an issue of social justice but it is also crucial for economic development. The low participation of women in the workforce is a major hindrance in the overall development of our country.

India is the fifth largest economy in the world and now moving towards becoming a five trillion dollar economy. A more active role of women would be helpful in achieving this goal.

The President noted that the mission of the National Commission for Women is to address the specific problems arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women and to strive for the empowerment of women. She said that the need to create a separate commission for half of the country's population shows that women are yet to get their due respect and rights. She stressed that only by improving the status of women, the country would be able to make overall progress.

The President was happy to note that the National Commission for Women is committed to gender equality and empowerment through its continuous efforts. She urged all the women to move forward with determination by overcoming all kinds of obstacles. She also urged them to be aware of their rights and also make others aware.

National Commission for Women:

The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 to review the Constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

The First Commission was constituted on 31st January 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the Chairperson.

At present, Ms. Rekha Sharma assumed the charge of Chairperson, National Commission for Women on August 7, 2018.

The Section – 3 of National Commission for Women Act, 1990:

The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known as the National Commission for Women to exercise the powers conferred on and to perform the functions assigned to, it under this Act.

The Commission shall consist of :-

1A Chairperson, committed to the cause of women, to be nominated by the Central Government.

2five Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who have had experience in law or legislation, trade unionism, management of an industry potential of women, women's voluntary organisations ( including women activist ), administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare;Provided that at least one Member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively;

3a Member-Secretary to be nominated by the Central Government who shall be : an expert in the field of management, organisational structure or sociological movement, or an officer who is a member of a civil service of the Union or of an all-India service or holds a civil post under the Union with appropriate experience

The Commission shall, while investigating any matter have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and, in particular in respect of the following matters, namely :-

summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath,

requiring the discovery and production of any document,

receiving evidence on affidavits,

requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office,

issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents, and

any other matter which may be prescribed.