NCW Challenges, Controversies and the Road Ahead for Gender Equality – (Part 02)

The National Commission for Women (NCW) strives to secure women’s rights and entitlements, ensuring their equal participation in all spheres of life. By focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment, the NCW addresses both public and private domain issues that women encounter. Through various initiatives, the NCW aims to uplift women’s status and provide them with necessary support.

National Commission for Women

Initiatives taken by the National Commission for Women 

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken various steps to improve the status of women and work for their empowerment. Some of them are as follows :

• Preparing Gender Profiles:  The NCW has completed visits to all the States/UTs and prepared ‘Gender Profiles’ to assess the status of women and their empowerment. 
  • This has helped to identify the key areas where women need support and has informed the NCW’s work in these areas.
• Addressing Complaints and Providing Speedy Justice: The NCW receives a large number of complaints and acts suo-moto in several cases to provide speedy justice. 
  • This has helped to ensure that women have access to justice and that their complaints are taken seriously.
• Taking up the Issue of Child Marriage: The NCW has taken up the issue of child marriage and sponsored legal awareness programs and Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats. 
  • It has also reviewed laws such as the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, the PNDT Act of 1994, the Indian Penal Code of 1860, and the National Commission for Women Act of 1990 to make them more stringent and effective.
• Proposing Amendments to Laws: The NCW has proposed amendments to the Hindu Marriage Act 1955, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971, and the Indian Penal Code 1960, etc. 
  • This has helped to strengthen the legal framework for protecting women’s rights.
• Organizing Workshops and Seminars:  The NCW has organized workshops and seminars on a variety of topics related to women’s empowerment, such as economic empowerment, gender awareness, and violence against women. 
  • This has helped to raise awareness of these issues and to build capacity among stakeholders.
• Establishing a Cell for J&K and Ladakh: The NCW has recently established a “J&K and Ladakh Cell” to address women’s complaints and promote their development in all areas within these newly-formed UTs, due to the unique challenges faced by women there.
• Strengthening of Law related to Women’s Rights:  The NCW has helped strengthen the implementation of laws pertaining to women’s rights, such as the Domestic Violence Act 2005 and the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961.
• Legal and Psychological Counselling:  It has provided legal and psychological counseling to victims of violence and sexual harassment.
• Sexual Harassment at Workplace:  It has monitored and ensured the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

Challenges Faced by the National Commission for Women 

• Limited Legal Power: The NCW’s authority is mainly recommendatory in nature, and it does not have the power to enforce its recommendations or take legal action against violators. 
  • This can make it difficult for the NCW to achieve its goals.
• Lack of Resources: The NCW often faces a shortage of staff and resources, which hinders its ability to carry out its mandate effectively. 
  • This means that the NCW may not be able to investigate all complaints or provide support to all women who need it.
• Inadequate Representation: The NCW has been criticized for inadequate representation of marginalized women, including those from lower castes, tribes, and religious minorities. 
  • This means that the NCW may not be able to fully understand and address the needs of all women in India.
• Limited Outreach: The NCW’s outreach efforts are often limited, and it may not be able to effectively reach out to women in remote areas or those who are illiterate. 
  • This means that some women may not be aware of the NCW or its services.
• Political Interference:  Since the NCW is nominated by the ruling government, it may face pressure to avoid cases that could potentially reflect negatively on the government or its allies. 
  • This can compromise the NCW’s impartiality and commitment to women’s rights.
• Lack of Awareness and Accessibility: Many women, especially in rural and remote areas, are unaware of the existence and role of the NCW. 
  • This means that some women may not be able to seek assistance and support from the NCW when faced with challenges.

Controversies Around the National Commission for Women 

• Criticism of NCW’s Response to Manipur Incident
  • The NCW was criticized for being slow and insensitive in its response, with accusations of not acting proactively to protect the victims.
• Controversial Response to Mangalore Pub Attack
  • An NCW member faced backlash for blaming the victims for the attack and questioning their reluctance to come forward.
• NCW’s Handling of Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Former CJI in 2019
  • The NCW was criticized for not being proactive enough in investigating the allegations and for failing to protect the rights of the victim.

Suggestive Measures to Improve the Functioning of National Commission for Women (NCW)

• Adopt a Transparent Appointment Process:
  •  The appointment of NCW chairpersons and members should be based on merit and transparency, with the involvement of representatives from various stakeholders, including the Opposition, judiciary, and civil society organizations.
• Conduct Regular Social Audits:
  • External agencies should conduct regular social audits of the NCW to assess its performance, utilization of funds, and impact. 
  • This will hold the NCW accountable and provide insights for improvement.
• Encourage Field Visits:
  •  NCW members and staff should conduct more field visits to interact with women in different regions and understand their unique challenges and needs.
• Promote Awareness and Accessibility:
  • The NCW should promote greater awareness of itself, particularly in remote areas, through various channels such as helplines, online platforms, and mobile outreach.
• Provide Empathy and Sensitivity Training:
  • NCW members and staff should be trained to develop empathy and sensitivity towards women in distress. 
  • This will help create a supportive and victim-centered approach to dealing with cases.

• Increase Awareness at the District Level:
  • The NCW could deploy resources at the district level to bring attention to local atrocities and raise awareness about the NCW.
• Strengthen the Legal Powers:
  • The NCW should be given more legal powers to effectively address issues related to the rights of women and to strengthen the laws for the safety of women in the workplace.
• Increase the funding:
  • The central government should devolve more funds to the NCW and give it an independent budget to ensure it has the resources it needs to effectively carry out its mandate.
• Improve Outreach To Remote Areas:
  • The NCW needs to have effective outreach mechanisms to reach women in remote areas or those who are illiterate.
• Educate Women And Promote Empowerment:
  • The NCW should educate women about their rights and empower them to make informed decisions regarding their lives. 
  • It should establish self-development centers and encourage women’s participation in small-scale work to promote empowerment and independence.

Conclusion

The National Commission for Women (NCW) must remain vigilant in bridging the gender digital divide, fostering economic empowerment, and addressing gender-based violence. 

• By embracing innovation and collaboration, the NCW can empower women and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

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