NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

• Expanding Scope of NCW Recently, the 30th Foundation Day (31st January) of the National Commission for Women (NCW) was celebrated.
• According to the Prime Minister, given the evolving needs of women in the country, the scope of NCW must be broadened.
• The Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign has shown the link between the ability of women with the development of the country.
• This change is visible as about 70% beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana are women.
• The country has seen a threefold increase in the number of women self-help groups in the last 6-7 years.
• Similarly, in more than 60 thousand startups that have emerged after 2016, 45% have at least one woman director.
• Industries from textile to dairy have progressed due to women’s skills and power.
• India’s economy relies on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and there is a need to promote women entrepreneurs in the country.
• However, people with old thinking are of the view that the women’s roles are restricted to domestic work.
• The Committee on the Status of Women in India (CSWI) recommended nearly five decades ago, the setting up of a NCW to fulfil the surveillance functions to facilitate redressal of grievances and to accelerate the socio-economic development of women.
• Successive Committees/Commissions/Plans including the National Perspective Plan for Women (1988-2000) recommended the constitution of an apex body for women.
• Under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, the NCW was set up as a statutory body in January 1992.
• The First Commission was constituted on 31st January 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the Chairperson.
• The commission consists of a chairperson, a member secretary and five other members. The chairperson of the NCW is nominated by the Central Government.

Way Forward

• Amending NCW Act: Women’s role is continuously expanding in today’s India and the expansion of the role of the NCW is the need of the hour.
• Further, the State Commissions must also widen their ambit.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT