Andhra Pradesh Women Commission

Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Women was formed to investigate specific problems relating to women and apart from studying women related issues from the state.^[2] The Commission is equipped with powers to safeguard rights of women and ensure their protection and equality against any form of harassment and issues faced in the family and community.

The commission was created with the following objectives:

• Ensuring protection and welfare of women.

• Handle gender-based issues through timely intervention in case of any violation of relevant laws or opportunity denial or depriving the women of any rights.^[3]

• Recommending to state government on women-based issues.

• The commission occasionally takes steps to create awareness in public regarding the women-based legislation in the state.

The Women Commission shall consist of the chairperson and not more than 6 members residing in the state. The statute lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission.

• A Chairperson, shall be eminent women committed to cause of welfare of women
• Six Members to be nominated by the State, provided that at least one Member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward classes and Minorities Communities respectively

• To enquire suo-moto or any complaints of any issue which deprives women of their rights or women protection laws not being implemented or noncompliance of any policies relating to them or failure of following instructions relating to women welfare and relief associated with them.

In February 2018, women’s organisations in Visakhapatnam staged protests seeking action against Ram Gopal Varma over alleged derogatory remarks, with media reports noting that protesters expressed dissatisfaction with delays by local police and criticised the response of the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Women, after which a case was registered and an investigation initiated.^[4]

Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Women was formed to perform below activities:

• Commission should ensure that it adheres to the provision and protection guaranteed for women under Constitution of India and women related legislations.^[5]

• In case any agency in the state fails to implement protective measures against women, getting the same to the notice of Government.

• Making recommendations for the amendments in any law if it fails on provision of justice to the women of the state.

• Taking up with concerned authorities any issue of violation of women's rights and recommending follow-up action to them.

• Women who have complaints of violation of their rights and non-implementation of their protective measures guaranteed under the Constitution of India can directly approach Women Commission for redressal.

• Counselling and assisting women who are victims of atrocities and discrimination in the state.

• Financing litigation expenses for any issues involving mass group of women and occasionally make reports to the state government relating to them.

• Inspecting any premises, jail or other remand home where women prisoners are lodged or any other case and bringing them to the notice of respective authorities, in case of need.

• Enquire, study and investigate any specific women-based issues.

• Initiate educational research or undertaking any promotional method and recommend ways for ensuring women representation in all areas and identifying reasons depriving them of their rights.

National Commission for Women