About the Commission:
The Government of Odisha has set up the Odisha State Commission for Women, a statutory body under the Odisha State Commission for Women Act, 1993 (Odisha Act 19 of 1994) for protection and promotion of rights and entitlements of women and to deal with atrocities, offences and gender-based violence against them in the State. The basic objective for which the Commission has been set up is to ensure a women friendly society where the dignity and safety of women in every sphere of life is well protected and women can enjoy their life with dignity and without fear or despair.
The Odisha State Commission for Women also aims at rendering support to the Government in formulating policies and implementing laws to improve the socio-economic status of women and to create awareness on their rights to live a life with safety and security as a productive member of the society.
Constitution of the Commission:
- • Established: 14th January 1993 (Resolution No. II WP-59/92 537/WP, Panchayati Raj Dept.)
- • Act Notified: 7th October 1994 (Law Deptt. Notification No.13850/Legis, Extraordinary Gazette No.1198)
- • Rules Implemented: 26th December 2006
Composition of the Commission:
As per the Orissa State Commission for Women Act 1993(Orissa Act 19 of 1994), the Commission comprises of:
- A Chairperson, who is an eminent social worker or a professional, committed to the cause of women to be nominated by the State Government;
- Six Members to be nominated by the State Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing of whom:
- • One shall be an Official Member,
- • One shall be an eminent Advocate,
- • two shall be Social Workers of repute, and
- • two shall be experts in education and health,
- • Provided that at least one Member shall be from amongst persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) respectively.
- An Officer not less than the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of Orissa in charge of Women's Welfare shall be the Convener-Secretary of the Commission whose duty shall be to facilitate co-ordination between the Commission and the Government in the activities
Objectives of the Commission:
- • The objectives of the Odisha State Commission for Women are to protect and promote the rights and entitlements of women in the state.
- • To create an enabling environment in the state to ensure gender equality by preventing gender-based violence and to advocate for women friendly society and to focus on upholding the rights, dignity, safety and security of women to live a life with dignity.
- • To redress the grievances of aggrieved women from across the state in case of violation of their rights.
- • Rendering support to the Government in formulating policies and implementing laws to improve the socio-economic status of each and every woman across the state.
- • To recommend to the state Government on the basis of specific reports on improving the status of women in the state.
- • Grievance redressal of complaints related to violence and rights violation
- • Protection & legal assistance to women victims
- • Promotion of gender equality and public awareness
- • Policy formulation and advocacy with the Government
- • Research, documentation, and data collection
- • Development and empowerment of women
- • Collaboration with government, NGOs, and law enforcement
- • Monitoring and evaluation of laws and programs for women
Functions of the Commission:
- • Conduct in-depth studies on the economic, educational and health situation of the women with emphasis on tribal districts and areas of the state.
- • Speedy redressal of grievances and peaceful resolution of complaints of women through the process of counselling, conciliation and mediation.
- • Organising district level grievances redressal camps and legal awareness programmes to reach out to women living in remote areas of the state.
- • Compile information on offences against women relating to marriage, dowry, rape, kidnapping, criminal abduction, eve-teasing, immoral trafficking and in the cases of medical negligence in causing delivery or sterilization or medical intervene relates to child bearing or child birth.
- • Receive complaints on atrocities on women, offences against women, deprivation of women of their rights, minimum wages, violation of health and maternity rights of women and atrocities on women in custody.
- • Inspect or cause to be inspected a jail, remand home, women's institution or other place of custody to ensure safety of women.
- • Organise capacity building training programme for all stakeholders involved in improving the status of women.
- • Promotion of advocacy for policy level changes.
- • Training and orientation programme for organisations and institutions providing services to women.
- • Organise internship training programme for law students on women and law.
Investigation of cases as a Civil Court U/s 10 (3) of the State Commission for Women Act, 1993
- • Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath;
- • Requiring the discovery and production of any document;
- • Receiving evidence on affidavits;
- • Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;
Major Cells of the Commission
Legal Cell: The Legal Cell receives complaints of women from across the state for redressal of grievances, making arrangements for hearing of complaints, conducting Camp Courts at district level, attending court cases, preparing answers for assembly questions etc.
Investigation Cell: The Investigation Cell conducts field inquiries in serious crimes or atrocities against women, visits spot, examines witnesses, collects information/evidence and submits report to the Commission with recommendations. The implementation of the recommendations of the inquiry team is being monitored by the Commission.
Counselling Cell: The Counselling Cell primarily provides counselling services to parties in marital dispute/family and other disputes and through the process of regular counselling, conciliation and mediation, the Commission resolves most of the disputes and help reunite the families.
Free Legal Aid Cell: The Free Legal Aid Clinic has been set up in the office premises of the Commission to provide legal aid support to the poor and destitute women who are in need of the same.
Research Cell: The Research Cell compiles month and year wise data on case registration and disposals, data on category-wise cases registered and disposed of, district wise data on atrocities and crimes against women. Besides, it conducts research studies on issues relevant and relating to women.
Accounts Cell: The Accounts Cell works on financial management and prepares budget and statement of accounts of the Commission.
RTI Cell: Public assistance under RTI Act, 2005.