National Commission for Women

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: NCW · Topic: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Rights in the Indian Constitution"

Meaning

The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act 1990. It was set up on 31 January 1992. It has a Chairperson, 5 members and a member-secretary. It reviews the legal safeguards for women, hears complaints and advises the government. It has the powers of a civil court, but its advice is not binding.

Example

The NCW holds Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats. These are people's courts that settle family and marriage disputes quickly and through agreement. Class 11 NCERT calls it the "National Commission on Women", but its correct name is the National Commission for Women.

Don't confuse with

  • National Human Rights Commission: it handles all human rights violations. The NCW focuses on women. One complaint may go to both bodies, which is a known overlap.

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