Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Vijaya K Rahatkar believes that instead of demanding more powers for the commission, it would be better to exercise fully and effectively whatever powers it has.
Rahatkar, who was in the city on Thursday, talked with the Free Press on a range of issues concerning the women and the functioning of the NCW.
Excerpts:
The MP State Women’s Commission has been non-functional since 2018
I have been told that the government has been unable to re-constitute the State Women’s Commission as a case regarding it is pending in the High Court. I have requested the State Women and Child Development Minister to expedite disposal of the case.
How does the NCW help women?
In many ways. We help them get justice. We also undertake research on women-related issues and recommend to the government to take steps for wellbeing and security of women.
But is all this being done?
Yes. Only some things are visible, some are less visible. As chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, we had made a series of recommendations to the government with regard to women farmers, especially, widows of farmers who had committed suicide. We recommended that they be treated with empathy. The government accepted all our recommendations – 100 per cent. The third work we do is raising awareness.
It is often said that the Women’s Commissions lack enough powers and can only make recommendations.
More powers for the government to decide. I believe that we should focus on using the powers we have effectively and fully.
Cases of rape are growing in the Madhya Pradesh?
This is unfortunate. There are laws in place. Implementation must be proper, justice must be quick. The key, however, is changing societal mindset.
The MP government has made a provision for capital punishment for rape. Do such measures work?
Yes. Strict punishment does act as a deterrent.
