New NCW campaign to focus on saving families

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) After launching ''Chalo Gaon ki Aur'' campaign last year, the NCW will inaugurate in May ''Save Home, Save Family'' programme with the objective of settling marital discord and addressing domestic violence cases.

''The campaign will look into cases of domestic violence and other forms of marital discords with the ultimate objective of conciliation and settlement so as to protect the marital relationship between spouses,'' NCW chairperson Girija Vyas, who took charge for her second term today, told a news conference.

A pilot project, implemented jointly with the Delhi Police, on the campaign has been launched in the national capital and state governments will also be notified about it, she said.

''The thrust areas will be awareness, sensitisation of police, role of civil society and counselling,'' she added.

Joint Commissioner (Crime Against Women Cell) Sudhir Yadav said the force was striving to create women-friendly atmosphere in police stations.

''We will lend our support to the Commission for its new campaign and at the same time are working towards ensuring that women don't hesitate in coming to police stations and filing complaints,'' he added.

Listing out other priority area for the Commission over the next few months, the Chairperson said the NCW would launch similar pilot projects in all states for proper implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and Section 498 A of the IPC.

The NCW has finalised the draft law relating to Relief and Rehabilitation of acid attack victims and Draft Bill on Domestic Workers.

It will review the Mental Health Act and the Indecent Representation of Women Act.

The Commission would also be examining the Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive technologies.

Dr Vyas, the first to head the rights body for a second tenure, said the maximum cases of atrocities against women were being reported from Uttar Pradesh.

In her first term, Dr Vyas, who has a doctorate in Philosophy, took over as the NCW Chairperson on February 16, 2005, when she succeeded Dr Poornima Advani (Jan 2002-- Jan 2005).

Ms Jayanti Patnaik was the first chairperson-- (Feb 1992 to Jan 1995) of the Commission, set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.

The followed by Dr Mohini Giri (July 1995 to July 1998) and Ms Vibha Parthasarathy (Jan 1999 to Jan 2002).

The NCW is mandated to review the Constitutional and legal safeguards for women, recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

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