National Commission for Women organised International Women’s day celebrations on 13.3.2012 at Constitution Club New Delhi. This was one of the first formal celebrations of International Women’s Day by National commission for women. The entire team of NCW came together and handcrafted the programme ensuring perfection in each step from receiving guests who travelled from outside the capital to the last minute of the celebrations. The programme commenced with lighting of the lamp. Thereafter the troupe from the ministry of Information and Broadcasting Song and Drama division rendered the composition Vande Materam. After the welcome address by Joint Secretary NCW Smt Minakshi Ghose the report “Understanding Gender Equality in India 2012” was introduced by Member Secretary Smt. Anita Agnihotri. 

Dr. Vina Mazumdar, social activist who prepared the first report of the Committee of the Status of women in India explained the work done by them for the report which was published in 1974. She also talked about distinguished social scientists and policy makers who helped in preparing that report. The Report is a comprehensive presentation and analysis of secondary data from several sources like Census of India, District Level House hold Survey, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Employment, National Family Health Survey etc. The indicators of equality have been divided under three distinct categories viz. Women’s Survival, Women’s Freedom and Women’s Visibility. The Report has used standardized data and a well defined research methodology. It provides an opportunity for more intensive work on each indicator or on several indicators for a region/state. The Report will be quite useful to the social scientists, policy makers and activists. The report is a joint collaboration effort of National Commission for Women and UN Women. On behalf of UN Women, Ms Gulden Turkoz-Cosslett Director Programme Support Division, New York was present at the time of release of the Report. Dr. Charu WaliKhanna Member NCW also addressed the gathering. 

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the NCW also honoured 25 outstanding women who came from various corners of the country and represented various spheres of activities and professions. Some were veterans who had made outstanding contribution in their respective fields and some were young women including those with special needs like visually challenged Ms. Manjula Rath and physically challenged Ms. Mukesh Devi who have continued to march ahead despite several odds and are examples of courage and fortitude. Also felicitated were women like Dr Anjana Goswami who were pioneers in the field of mentally challenged children and Women, Dr Meeta Singh who has done yeoman work on PCPNDT Each honoured women was given a moment a certificate of honour. 

Smt. Mamta Sharma, Chairperson NCW in her speech outlined the initiatives and work done by NCW, the highest body for advising government on policies and legislations relating to women, in course of the last 20-years in various areas including handling of complaints and grievances, undertaking research studies, reviewing legislations, proposing amendments and taking suo moto cognizance of serious violation of rights or women. She emphasised the role played by education and proper implementation of government schemes targeting women for total empowerment and ensuring of entitlements of women. Smt. Sharma also emphasised the major focus of NCW for coming years on strengthening and improving the functioning of C&I Cell, networking with State Commissions for Women including tele conferencing links, working on declining sex ratio, monitoring actions as per Supreme Court directives in the area of prevention of sexual harassment in the office in corporate and government sector, advocacy on proper implementation of PWDV Act etc. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair.

Press Release