In a significant development and a major boost towards women empowerment Jammu and Kashmir government has accorded sanction for the constitution of ‘Jammu and Kashmir Commission for Women’ to investigate and examine all matters to safeguards provided for women under the Constitution and other laws.
In a formal order issued by the Social Welfare Department of Jammu and Kashmir government, a copy reviewed by the Rising Kashmir it orders for the constitution of the Women Commission which reads that the commission will review existing provisions of the Constitution and take suo-moto notice of various issues related to women’s rights.
As per the order the Commission has been mandated to investigate and examine all matters related to safeguards provided for women under the Constitution and other laws. It will recommend steps for effective implementation of those safeguards which can improve the condition of women in the UT.
“From time to time, the Commission will review existing provisions of the Constitution and other laws affecting women and recommend amendments for remedial legislative measures to meet any lacunae, inadequacies or shortcomings in the legislation,” reads the order.
As per the order the Commission will be headed by a Chairperson, who will be a woman committed to the cause of women, while as the Commission will also have five members who will be nominated by the Government having not less than 10 years of experience in the field of women welfare, administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare.
“At least one member of the Commission will be from Scheduled castes or Scheduled Tribes while the Member Secretary shall be a member of Civil Service of the Union or an All India Service holding rank of Special Secretary to Government or an expert in the field of management, organizational structure of sociological movement”, reads the order.
The Commission has been empowered to look into complaints and take suo-moto notice of matters related to deprivation of women’s rights, non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection to women and achieve object of equality and development and non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships and ensuring welfare and providing relief to women; and take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities.
According to the order the Commission can also call for special studies or investigations into specific problems or situations arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women and identify constraints so as to recommend strategies for their removal.
“The Women’s Panel will undertake promotional and education research to suggest ways of ensuring due representation of women in all spheres and identify factors responsible for impeding their advancement like lack of access to housing and basic services, inadequate support services and technologies for reducing drudgery and occupational health hazards and for increasing their productivity”, reads the order.
The order further states that the Commission will take up cases of violation of provisions of the Constitution and other laws related to women with appropriate authorities.
“It will inspect a jail, remand home, women’s institution or other place of custody where women are kept as prisoners or otherwise and take up with concerned authorities for remedial action, if found necessary,” the officials said and added that the commission will fund litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women.
The Commission will submit periodical reports to the Government on any matter pertaining to women and in particular various difficulties under which women toil.
“The government shall cause the annual report together with a memorandum of action taken on the recommendations contained therein and the reasons for the non-acceptance, if any, of any of such recommendations before the Lieutenant Governor”, reads the order.
