INITIATIVES BY NCW TO HELP AND PROTECT WOMEN FROM VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT

During the current pandemic, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken various initiatives to reach out to aggrieved women to report violence and harassment. A WhatsApp help line number 7217735372 was provided during the lockdown to report the complaints. Further, the Commission on 27^th July, 2021, launched 24×7 NCW Women helpline-7827170170 with the objective to provide online support to women in distress through referral by linking them with the concerned Police Authorities, Hospitals, Legal Services Authorities and also for the purpose of psychological counseling. These initiatives have facilitated women in distress to lodge complaints to NCW. The state/UT wise details of number of complaints registered with NCW during the years 2020 and 2021 is at Annexure.

National Commission for Women has taken following steps to resolve the complaints and give helping hand to women to protect them from violence and harassment :

1. The Commission has initiated a practice of conducting both in person and online hearings to look into the complaints. The Commission initiated a pilot project – “Mahila Jan Sunwai” in collaboration with District Legal Service Authorities and State/District Police authorities to facilitate effective and speedy disposal of complaints. Further, NCW takes suo moto cognizance of matters reported in print, electronic and other media sources under Section 10(1)(f) of the National Commission for Women Act,1990.

2. The Commission had collaborated with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), for undertaking ‘Capacity Building’ and Training of Protection Officers appointed under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 across the country. The programme was formally inaugurated on 28.06.2021. A standardized module has been developed to carry forward these training programmes at pan India level.

3. Gender Sensitization Programmes and Capacity Building Programmes are being conducted for Police personnel on the laws relating to women in association with Bureau of Police Research & Development.

4. During 2020-21, the Commission in collaboration with Universities/Colleges, has undertaken 5 Research Studies on “Cyber Security and threats in Cyber Space faced by Women”. The Commission has also been focusing on spreading awareness on cyber crimes by making it a part of various Legal Awareness Programs.

5. The Commission also organized a Webinar on Misogyny Online and Social Responsibility of Social Media on 23rd June 2021, with the focus on internet etiquette, Gender equity policies and community guidelines of Social media platforms .

6. In case of any complaint received by the Commission, pertaining to Cyber crime against women, the matter is immediately taken up with the concerned authorities including police Cyber cells of MHA for taking appropriate action in the case. The Commission has launched an awareness campaign by developing a creative/video spot on cyber crime security and is disseminating information through social media platforms.

This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha .

Annexure

Data of complaints registered in National Commission for Women under various categories during 2020 and 2021