Functions and Powers — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
NCW Launches 'Digital Shakti 5.0' to Combat Cyber Violence Against Women
November 2024In a significant move to address the escalating threat of cyber violence, the National Commission for Women launched the fifth phase of its 'Digital Shakti' campaign, 'Digital Shakti 5.0'. This initiative focuses on equipping women and girls with digital literacy skills, enhancing their online safety, and providing mechanisms for reporting cybercrimes. The campaign includes workshops, awareness drives, and collaboration with cyber experts and law enforcement agencies. From a UPSC perspective, this demonstrates NCW's evolving mandate to tackle contemporary forms of violence and its proactive role in leveraging technology for women's safety. It highlights the Commission's adaptive strategy in fulfilling its statutory function of investigating and taking suo motu notice of deprivation of women's rights in the digital sphere, as well as its promotional and educational research mandate.
UPSC Angle: NCW's adaptation to new forms of crime (cybercrime), role in digital literacy and online safety, inter-agency coordination, and proactive measures under its investigative and promotional functions. Relevant for GS-II (Social Justice, Governance, Cyber Security aspects).
NCW Intervenes in Cases of Workplace Harassment in Gig Economy
March 2025The National Commission for Women has recently taken suo motu cognizance of several complaints regarding sexual harassment and unfair working conditions faced by women in the rapidly expanding gig economy. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women working as delivery partners, ride-share drivers, or online service providers, the NCW initiated investigations into specific platforms and recommended guidelines for ensuring safer working environments, robust grievance redressal mechanisms, and fair contractual terms. This intervention underscores NCW's commitment to extending its protective umbrella to emerging sectors of employment, ensuring that the safeguards provided under the Constitution and other laws are applicable even in non-traditional work settings. It highlights NCW's investigative authority and its role in reviewing existing provisions to address new economic realities.
UPSC Angle: NCW's proactive role in addressing challenges in the unorganized/gig economy, expansion of its mandate to new work models, and its function in ensuring implementation of labor laws and gender justice in evolving economic landscapes. Relevant for GS-I (Social Issues, Women's role), GS-II (Social Justice, Labour Laws, Governance).