About NCW

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body formed in 1992 under the National Commission Act 1990. It is the apex national level organisation of India with the mandate of protecting and promoting the interests of women.
• It provides the government with advice to make policies and laws that are more prone to protect and safeguard the rights of women. The commission also has the powers that are vested upon with a civil court.

Objectives

• The objectives of NCW are as follows:

1. To suggest the government regarding policies regarding women,
2. A platform to redress the grievances,
3. To make recommendations relating to legislation measures,
4. To review legal and constitutional safeguards for women.

Powers 

• Powers of NCW:

1. Provide consultation on all major policy matters that affect women,
2. Issuing summons for the examination of documents and the witnesses,
3. It has the power to make any public record,
4. Receiving evidence on affidavits,
5. Discovery and production of documents,
6. Summoning and enforcement.

Composition

• The commission consists of a chairperson, a member secretary and five other members. 
• The chairperson of the NCW is nominated by the Central Government. The Central Government also nominates the member secretary. The member secretary should be an expert in the field of management. 
• The five members nominated by the Central Government should be individuals with ability, standing and integrity. They should have experience in law, legislation, management, women voluntary organisation, economic social development and so on.

Why in News?

• The National Commission for Women has launched an Anti-Human Trafficking Cell to improve effectiveness in tackling cases of human trafficking, raising awareness among women and girls, capacity building and training of Anti Trafficking Units and to increase responsiveness of law enforcement agencies.
• The Cell has been set up with an aim of increasing awareness among law enforcement officials and to facilitate their capacity building. 
• The Cell will conduct Gender Sensitization Trainings and Workshops in combating human trafficking for police officers and for prosecutors at regional, state and district level.
• The complaints related to human trafficking received by the Commission will be addressed by this cell.
• The Cell will also help survivors of trafficking in rebuilding their lives by providing them with need-based training and by organizing capacity building programs for them to prevent re-traumatization of victims.

Reference:

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1812766