National Commission for Women - India

Established under the National Commission for Women Act 1990, the Commission’s functions include to study and monitor constitutional and other laws relating to women, review existing legislation and to investigate complaints concerning the rights of women. In order to discharge its functions, the Commission has the powers of a civil court to take evidence and issue summons. Under s.3(3) of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women is deemed to be a member of the National Human Rights Commission for the discharge of certain human rights functions.

The Commission has produced legal literacy manuals to educate women in their basic rights. In 1994 it conducted a public enquiry on "Women in the Unorganized Sector".