NSCW chairperson Nginyeih Konyak addressing awareness programme on Poshan Maah in Kohima on September 26. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 26
Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) Chairperson, W Nginyeih Konyak today said that the NSCW is devoted towards women empowerment.
“Since its inception, the Commission has kept abreast of debates, developments and discourses on gender related issues at both national and international level so as to shed light at the state/local level,” she said while addressing awareness programme on Poshan Maah at Jo Foundation Inclusive School in Kohima, organized by NSCW and sponsored by National Commission for Women.
She said that the Commission draws the concept of women empowerment and gender equality as delineated by the United Nations and that enshrined in the Indian constitution.
She said that NSCW was constituted by Government of Nagaland on 30th November 2006 under the Nagaland Women Commission Act 2006.
The Commission is headed by a Chairperson, two women Members and a Member-Secretary nominated by the State Government with sufficient knowledge and experience in women related issues.
Vision of NSCW
Nginyeih said that the NSCW envisions the Naga women in a safe environment leading her life with dignity, knowledgeable about her rights and entitlements and pursuing her chosen occupation in life with great freedom.
The mission of NSCW is to create state-wide awareness of women rights to access legal protection and redressal in situations where their rights are being violated, to reach Naga women from all backgrounds, rural or urban with information about the assistance and guidance available at NSCW, to enlighten Naga Women on equal opportunities in all areas of life and to provide help to women victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, human trafficking, prostitution, blackmail, cyber-crimes and domestic abuse.
Functions of NSCW
The Commission study/research and codify the customary laws relating to Naga women, family institutions, social security for women and children and for protecting against children particularly girl children from being rendered as orphans.
The chairperson said that the Commission also study/research and report on the conditions of women in general, in Nagaland, study/research and report on the conditions of women in private and public workplaces in Nagaland, study report on the conditions of women in Jails, Remand Homes and other places of custody to ameliorate their conditions against atrocities and Human Rights Violations.
It also receives complaints relating to the status, conditions and affairs of women from Individuals and bodies investigate them and report to the State Government.
Powers of the Commission
While performing functions under Section 5 of this Act, involving investigation and inquiry, the Commission have the power of a Civil Court trying a suit in respect of the following matters
Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath, requiring the discovery and production of any documents, receiving evidence on affidavits, requisitioning any public record of copy thereof from any court or office, issuing commissions for examination of witnesses and documents.
Main activities of Commission
She said that the Commission has been engaged mainly with sensitization, empowerment of women through Skills and documentation efforts since its inception.
It works on women/Girls Legal Rights under the Constitution, about access to Legal authorities for redressal of grievances, need to urge the authorities to include women members in decision making bodies.
The Commission conducts awareness programmes about women's rights on share of inheritance of acquired property and working towards the enactment of such a law, create awareness for a safe environment within the family by eliminating domestic violence in homes and encouraging women to report such cases to the authorities promptly.
