Data provided on complaints received by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in 2024
Context:
Uttar Pradesh leads with 6,492 complaints out of the total 12,648 complaints received by the NCW in 2024.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Indian Polity)
Key highlights:
- Following Uttar Pradesh, Delhi received 1,119 complaints, and Maharashtra recorded 764 complaints.
- The highest number of complaints fell under the “right to dignity” category with 3,567 cases, followed by 3,213 complaints of domestic violence.
- Dowry Harassment and Other Serious Crimes: There were 1,963 complaints of dowry harassment, 821 of molestation, 524 complaints against police apathy, and 658 complaints related to rape and attempt to rape.
- Complaints of Other Crimes: The data also showed 495 complaints of sexual harassment, 339 of cybercrime, 345 of stalking, and 206 of honour crimes.
- Manipur’s Low Complaint Count: Despite being strife-torn, Manipur recorded only three complaints of “crime against women” in 2024, and only six complaints were recorded in 2023 amidst large-scale ethnic violence and crimes against women.
National Commission for Women (NCW)
- Overview: The National Commission for Women (NCW) is an autonomous statutory body established in 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, aimed at protecting and promoting women’s rights in India.
- Composition: The NCW comprises a Chairperson, five Members, and a Member-Secretary, all nominated by the Central Government.
- Members are selected based on their expertise in various fields such as law, administration, health, and education.
- At least one Member must belong to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. The Chairperson and Members serve a three-year term.
- Functions and Responsibilities:
- Investigate and examine safeguards for women under the Constitution and other laws.
- Present annual reports to the Central Government on the working of these safeguards.
- Make recommendations for improving women’s conditions and implementing effective safeguards.
- Review existing laws affecting women and suggest amendments.
- Address complaints and take suo moto action on issues of women’s rights violations.
- Conduct promotional and educational research.
- Advise on socio-economic development planning for women.
Powers of NCW:
- Summoning and enforcing attendance.
- Requiring document discovery and production.
- Receiving evidence on affidavits.
- Requisitioning public records.
- Issuing commissions for witness and document examination.
