NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN - POLITY
News: NCW
asks U.P. Chief Secretary to probe firing of transwoman teacher by private
school
What's in the news?
● The
National Commission for Women (NCW) said it had issued a notice to the Chief
Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government seeking an independent inquiry into
the incident of a transwoman teacher being terminated by a private school, in
the Lakhimpur-Kheri district, allegedly because of her gender identity.
● The
NCW said in a statement that it had taken
cognizance of media reports about her termination.
National Commission for Women:
● The
NCW is the statutory body generally
concerned with advising the government on all policy matters affecting women.
● It
was established on 31 January 1992 under the provisions of the Indian
Constitution as defined in the 1990
National Commission for Women Act.
Constitutional provision:
● The
Indian Constitution doesn’t contain any provision specifically made to favor
women intrinsically.
● Article 15 (3), Article
14 and Article 21 protect and safeguard
women. They are more gender-neutral.
Objectives:
● The
objective of the NCW is to represent the rights of women in India and to
provide a voice for their issues and concerns.
● The
subjects of their campaigns have included dowry, politics, religion, equal
representation for women in jobs, and the exploitation of women for labor.
● They
have also discussed police abuses against women.
Composition:
● A Chairperson, committed
to the cause of women, to be nominated by the Central Government.
● Five 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 organizations (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).
Powers of NCW:
● Provide
consultation on all major policy matters that affect women.
● Issuing
summons for the examination of documents and the witnesses.
● It
has the power to make any public record.
● Receiving
evidence on affidavits.
● Discovery
and production of documents.
● Summoning and enforcement.
Functions of the NCW:
1. Presentation of reports:
Table reports should be submitted to the Central Government every year. When
the commission feels it’s appropriate. The reports upon the functioning and
working of the safeguards.
2. Investigation and Examination:
There should be proper investigation and examination made under the
Constitution and other laws. This is related to the protection of the rights of
women.
3. Review of laws:
Constantly all laws are reviewed and scrutinized. And necessary amendments and
alterations are made to meet the needs of the current world.
4. Cases of Violation:
Ensure there is no violation against women and taking due care of such cases.
5. Suo Motu Notice:
It takes care of complaints and also suo motu matters about the deprivation of
rights of women. Implementation of laws favoring the welfare of women.
6. Evaluation:
Assessing the development and the progress of the women community under the
Center and State level.
7. Special studies and investigation:
To understand the limitations in the system and curb it with strategic plans
and mechanisms.
Powers of the NCW:
1. Not concrete powers:
The NCW is only recommendatory and has no power to enforce its decisions. Often
it takes action only if the issues are brought to light.
2. Legal powers:
Commission lacks constitutional status, and thus has no legal powers to summon
police officers or witnesses.
3. Less funding:
NCW’s functions are dependent on the grants offered by the central government.
Financial assistance provided to the Commission is very less to cater to its
needs.
4. Political interference:
It does not have the power to choose its own members.