(a) whether the National Commission for Women was set up with a view to protect, promote and safeguard the interest and rights of women ;
(b) if so, the details of composition of the said Commission and also the function;
(c) whether the rural women of the country are neither aware of its rights nor the functioning of the Commission; and
(d) if so, the steps Government proposes to take to create awareness of the same amongst rural women?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR WOMEN AND CHILD
DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI RENUKA CHOWDHURY)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The National Commission for Women (NCW) consists of a
Chairperson, five Members and a Member-Secretary. The functions
of the NCW are laid down in Section 10 of the National Commission
for Women Act, 1990.
(c)&(d) The NCW has launched various programmes such as Legal
Awareness Programmes for Women and Girls to empower women and
girls with the knowledge of their legal rights and duties,
ultimately to be able to share power equally, gain full access to
the means of development and to work together towards achieving
gender equality and justice. Through the programme Parivarik
Mahila Lok Adalats, women are provided assistance for speedy
disposal of matters pending in various courts relating to
marriagte and family matters.
The NCW launched a programme ‘Chalo Gaon Ki Ore’ on 3.2.2006
to bring about awareness among women of their rights, various
schemes of Central and State Governments available for their
social and economic upliftment, to empower women to fight
violence against them, etc. Activities under the programme are
mainly directed towards the rural women.
NCW continues to make efforts to create awareness amongst rural women.