Mahila Ayog and Women Commission Complaints

Mahila Ayog/ National Commission for Women:

It is often said that the status of women is the mirror of society. India from time to time saw a down-gradation in the status of women and to improve the situation National Commission for Women and State Commission for Women under it were established.

In January 1992, the National Commission for Women (NCW), was set up as a statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 ( Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt. of India ) with the following objectives:

1. to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women

2. recommend remedial legislative measures

3. facilitate redressal of grievances and

4. advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

Complaint and Counselling Cell:

The Complaints and Counselling Cell of the commission process all the complaints whether received orally, written, or suo moto under Section 10 of the NCW Act. Online Registration of Complaints can be done via the website of the National Commission for Women ( http //ncw.nic.in ). The complaints received relate to domestic violence , harassment, dowry , torture, desertion, bigamy, rape, refusal to register FIR, cruelty by husband, deprivation, gender discrimination, and sexual harassment at the workplace.

The complaints are dealt with as below:-

1. Investigations by the police are expedited and monitored.

2. The matters are brought to the notice of various state authorities to facilitate action.

3. Family disputes are resolved or compromised through counseling.

4. As per the Sexual Harassment at Work Place (Prevention Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 the rules made by the Central Government in December 2013 on the subject, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 every employer is required to provide for effective complaints procedures and remedies including the award of compensation to women victims. In sexual harassment complaints, the concerned organization is urged to expedite cases and the disposal is monitored.

5. For serious crimes, the Commission constitutes an Inquiry Committee that makes spot inquiries, examines witnesses, collects evidence, and submits the report with recommendations. The implementation of the report is monitored by the NCW. The Commission has powers to summon the accused, witnesses, and records to facilitate inquiry.

How to check status of your registered complaint

The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a quasi-governmental organization in India tasked with protecting and promoting the interests of women. It is mandated to take up issues, affect change through recommendations to the government and monitor progress in matters related to gender equality. If you have made a complaint or report at the NCW, you can easily check its status with just few steps. To check the status of your registered complaint, you would need to login your account at the National Commission for Women website with your complaint or user id number and password. The website provides detailed instructions on how to reset the password/user ID if forgotten, as well as guidelines for complaints registration. Once logged in, you can check and track the status of your complaint& mdash from when it was lodged to when the issue was resolved& mdash by clicking on & lsquo My Complaints' tab available on the dashboard. You may be required to update or submit additional documents if needed by NCW during their investigation process.

How can the National Commission for Women/ Mahila Ayog protect you during divorce proceedings?

Whenever an aggrieved Woman approaches the Mahila Ayog/ National Commission for Women, the complaint is filed against the Respondent by the National Commission for Women (NCW). NCW ensures that the whole process is carried out fairly and the aggrieved person is not forced to withdraw the complaint.

Similarly during Divorce if a woman is threatened or misbehaved, she can approach the Mahila Ayog/ National Commission for Women for help through its 24/7 helpline number & ndash 1091. NCW will ensure the protection of the aggrieved women if necessary depending on the case. To consult with the best criminal lawyer for your case, click here .

Initiatives By NCW to Help And Protect Women From Violence And Harassment

In order to ensure that women in India have a fair and equal opportunity in life, the National Commission for Women (NCW) was established in accordance with the National Commission for Women Act of 1990. The NCW has launched a number of projects to raise women's status and promote their economic empowerment. These initiatives addressed a broad range of activities, such as determining the status of women and their level of empowerment through gender profiles in all States and Union Territories, addressing the problem of child marriage, funding legal education programmes, hosting Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats, and reviewing and strengthening laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, PNDT Act 1994, Indian Penal Code 1860, and the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. In simple words, it can be said that the goal of NCW is to not only bring gender equality but also make it easier for women to participate equally in all spheres of life. This has been done by creating policies, passing laws, enforcing the law, and implementing plans and policies. The goal is for Indian women to feel comfortable at home and in society, fully capable of exercising their legal rights, and to be able to contribute equally to all aspects of society. Some of the initiatives are-

1. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 are just a few of the significant steps the government has taken to safeguard and advance women's welfare in India.

2. To empower women and address issues relating to gender, a number of women-focused initiatives have been set up. Among these programmes are Mission Shakti, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme, the One Stop Centre Programme, UJJAWALA,SWADHAR Greh, NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR, Mahila Police Volunteers, Mahila Shakti Kendras, and the NIRBHAYA Fund.

3. The National Commission for Women (NCW) actively works to improve the security and well-being of women. It provides helplines for women in difficult situations and issues advise to increase women's safety in educational institutions.

4. The & quot Mahila Jan Sunwai& quot pilot project, which intends to assist the swift resolution of women's concerns, is one of the creative projects that the NCW has put into place. In order to address issues connected to violence and harassment against women, it conducts capacity-building programmes for Protection Officers and gender sensitization programmes for police officers.

5. The NCW works closely with relevant authorities, especially police Cyber units, to ensure that timely and appropriate action is taken in response to the growing problem of cybercrime against women. Additionally, the Commission has started awareness campaigns on cybercrime security, disseminating crucial information via a variety of social media platforms. These joint initiatives highlight the NCW's dedication to improving and defending women's rights in India.?

Common Queries related to the +National Commission of Women

1. How to file a complaint before the National Commission for Women?
Any individual looking to file a complaint before the National Commission for Women may do so by submitting a question on the authority site of the Commission ncwapps.nic.in under the segment of 'register online complaints. One can even send an exhaustive application containing every one of the significant details (alongside supporting records, if any) through post or by hand.

2. Who can file a complaint before the National Commission for Women?
Any case including breach of women's basic rights or harassment of women in India can be filed with the National Commission for Women. The complaint must unveil all details of the matter with explicit relief/intervention the victim is asking for from the National Commission for Women.

3. What kind of complaints are looked into by the National Commission for Women?
The following 19 general classifications of issues related to women are looked into by the National Commission for Women:

• Bigamy/Polygamy

• Cyber Crime against women

• Dowry harassment/dowry death

• Free legal aid for women

• Gender discrimination includes the equal right to education & work

• Indecent representation of women

• Outraging the modesty of women

• Police apathy against women

• Privacy of women and rights thereof

• Reproductive health rights of women

• Right to exercise choice in marriage

• Right to live with dignity (Cruelty, Domestic Violence, Harassment)

• Sex Selective abortion/ Female foeticide/ amniocentesis

• Sexual harassment including sexual harassment at the workplace

• Stalking/Voyeurism

• Traditional practices derogatory to women's rights i.e. Sati pratha, devadasi pratha, witch hunting

• Trafficking/ Prostitution of Women

• Violence Against Women ( Rape, Attempt to Rape, Acid Attack, Sexual Assault)

• Women's right of custody of children in the event of divorce.
   

4. What complaints are not entertained by the National Commission for Women? The following categories of complaints are liable to be summarily dismissed by the National Commission for Women:

1. Complaints illegible or vague, anonymous or pseudonymous

2. If the matter relates to a civil dispute between the parties such as contractual rights or obligations

3. The issue raised relates to service matters not involving any deprivation of women's rights

4. The issue raised relates to labor/ industrial disputes not involving any deprivation of women's rights

5. Matter is sub judice in a Court/ Tribunal

6. Matter is pending before a State Commission

7. Matter has already been decided by the Commission Matter is outside the purview of the National Commission for Women on any other ground.

5. How can I know whether my complaint has been acknowledged by the National Commission for Women?
An affirmation along with the complaint number, login ID, and password is shared with the complainant by the National Commission for Women once the complaint has been acknowledged by the National Commission for Women. In case of the complaint being dismissed, the same will be notified to the complainant at the earliest. One can also check it telephonically or by visiting the National Commission for Women.

6. How can I check the status of my complaint?
When your complaint is acknowledged by the National Commission for Women you will be provided a complaint number with a login ID and password which can be used to check the status of the complaint filed by you on the website of the Commission. You can also check the same through call or by specifically visiting the National Commission for Women.

7. What is your helpline No.?
For any inquiries related to complaints filed with NCW one may call upon- 011-26944880, 26944883

8. When can I contact NCW?
You can reach out to NCW anytime between 9.00 AM & ndash 5.30 PM. Working Days - Monday to Friday or you can send details through email anytime.

9. What data should I include while filing a complaint?
One must include the following details while filing a complaint with NCW:

• Contact details of the complainant and the respondent ( if available )

• Brief description of the incident

• Details of remedies already exhausted

• Supporting documents (If any)

10. How is my complaint dealt with by the National Commission for Women?
When a complaint is received, the commission:

1. Examines the complaint as per the NCW mandate

2. Mandated complaints are registered and case numbers allotted

3. Non-mandated complaints are summarily dismissed upon intimation

4. As per the nature of the complaint, the mandated complaints are taken up with the concerned authorities. The following actions are mainly taken to redress the grievances of the complainants :

• Expediting/monitoring police investigation

• Monitor proper implementation of statutory provisions

• Resolving the issues through mediation/counseling

• For serious crimes, the National Commission for Women forms an Inquiry committee that further examines various aspects of the case.

11. Can I get help from the National Commission of Women if I am being sexually harassed at the workplace?
Yes, you can file a complaint with National Commission for Women. The Commission will take up your case with your boss/concerned authority to screen the procedures of your grievance according to the mandatory provisions of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013.

12. In the event that I am being denied the advantage of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 would I be able to file a complaint with the National Commission for Women?
Yes, you can move an application to the National Commission for Women if your boss/concerned authority is denying you the maternity advantage according to the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

13. In case I'm having a conjugal conflict with my spouse and my in-laws would I be able to get help from the National Commission for Women?
Yes, you can look for the National Commission for Women or State Women Commission's assistance in the event that you need to determine the issue through mediation, counseling, or through police investigation in case you need a speedy solution.

References:

• https://wcd.nic.in/schemes-listing/2405

• https://wcd.nic.in/act/2314

• http://ncwapps.nic.in/

• http://ncw.nic.in/articles-initiatives-government

• http://ncw.nic.in/ncw-cells/complaint-investigation-cell

Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty

4.0 | 2+ user ratings Greater Kailash - 1, Delhi
5 years

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