J&K govt constitutes Commission for Women

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In a significant development and a major boost towards women empowerment, the Jammu and Kashmir government has accorded sanction for the constitution of ‘Jammu and Kashmir Commission for Women’ to investigate and examine all matters to safeguard women under the constitution and other laws in place.

In a formal order issued by the Social Welfare Department of Jammu and Kashmir government, orders for the constitution of the Women Commission to review existing provisions of the constitution and take suo-moto notice of 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 union territory.

“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.

The commission will be headed by a chairperson, who will be a woman committed to the cause of women, while other five members of the commission 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, organisational structure of sociological movement”, reads the order.

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. (India Blooms)