National Commission For Women: Vision, Composition, Functions & Working

• Review constitutional and legal safeguards for women.
• Recommend remedial legislative measures.
• Facilitate the redressal of grievances about the violation of women’s rights.
• Advise the government on all policy matters affecting women.

• Multi-member body nominated by the Central Government (MoWCD).
• Chairperson: Committed to the cause of women.
• 5 Members: Persons of ability, integrity and standing who have had experience in:
  • Law or legislation, trade unionism, management of an industry or an organization committed to increasing the employment potential of women, women’s voluntary organizations (including women activists), administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare. 
  • At least one member each should belong to the SC and ST, respectively.

• Member-secretary
  • Expert in the field of management.
  • Organizational structure or sociological movement, or 
  • An officer who is a member of a Civil Service of the Union or AIS or holds a civil post under the Union.

• Proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
• An undischarged insolvent.
• Engaged in paid employment outside office duties during the term of office.
• Convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence involving moral turpitude.
• Declared of unsound mind by a competent court.
• Refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting.
• Absent from three consecutive meetings of the Commission.
• Abused one’s official position which (in the opinion of the Central Government) renders one’s continuance in the office as detrimental to the public interest.

• Investigate/Examine: all matters relating to the constitutional and legal safeguards for women.
• Report: Present report to the Central Government annually and at such other times as it may deem fit.
• Recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards.
• Suo moto notice of matters relating to 
  • Deprivation of women’s rights.
  • Non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection to women and also to achieve the objective of equality and development; and
  • Non-compliance with policy decisions or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships and ensuring welfare, and providing relief to women.
• Call for Special Studies /Investigations: Into specific problems or situations arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women. 
• Promotional/Educational Research: ensuring due representation of women in all spheres and to identify factors responsible for impeding their advancement
• Participate/Advice: On the economic planning and development of women
• Evaluate: The progress of the development of women under the Union and any state
• Women’s Custodial Facilities: Inspect any jail, remand home, women’s institution or other place of custody where women are kept as prisoners or otherwise and take remedial action
• Fund Litigation: Involving issues affecting a large body of women.
• Look into any other matter referred to by the Central Government.

• The Commission presents an annual report or as and when it thinks necessary to the Centre. 
• All such reports are presented before each House of Parliament, along with a memorandum (action taken on the recommendation made by the Commission). 
• The memorandum contains the reasons for the non-acceptance of any of such recommendations.
• In case of a report being related to any matter connected with the State government, the Commission forwards a copy of such report to such State government. 
• The State Government places it before the state legislature, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on the recommendations of the commission.

• To appoint the committees necessary for dealing with the issues taken up by it from time to time.
• regulate its own procedure and also the procedure of its committees. 
• Possesses powers of a civil court concerning all the relevant matters like summoning a person, receiving evidence etc.
  • 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.
• The Central Government should consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting women.

• Modes of Complaint: Complaints can be received verbally or in writing.
• Suo Moto: notice of cases is acceptable.
• Categories of Complaints Accepted: Complaints can be registered under 19 broad categories, like Rape/ attempt to rape, Acid attack, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, dowry death, protection of women against domestic violence, Bigamy/Polygamy etc.

• Specific Cases of Police Apathy: sent to the police for investigation and monitoring.
• Family Disputes: resolved or reconciliation through counselling.
• Provide all disaggregated data to state authorities to facilitate action.
• Sexual Harassment Complaints: concerned organisations urged to expedite cases and the disposal is monitored.
• For Serious Crimes: The commission constitutes an Inquiry Committee to provide immediate relief and justice to victims of violence and atrocities.

• Complaint & Investigation Cell, Legal Cell, Policy Monitoring and Research Cell, Non-Resident Indians Cell, North East Cell, Suo-Motu Cell, Public Relations including media management Cell, Psychiatric/Custodial Homes Reform Cell, Capacity Building Cell, Women Safety Cell, Women Welfare Cell, RTI Cell and J&K and Ladakh Cell.

• Established by the Commission to supplement the efforts of the District Legal Service Authority (DALSA) for redressal, speedy disposal of marriage/family affairs matters pending in courts.
• It functions on the model of the Lok Adalat. 
• The Commission provides financial assistance to NGOs or State Women Commissions or State Legal Service Authority to organize the Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalat.

Objectives

• Speedy and cost-free dispensation of justice to women.
• Generate awareness among the public regarding the conciliatory mode of dispute settlement.
• Encourage dispute settlement outside the courts.
• Empower the public, especially women, to participate in justice delivery mechanisms.