Maharashtra State Commission for Woman

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women was established on January 25, 1993, under the Maharashtra Act, no. XV of 1993. The Commission consists of Chairperson; six non-official members; a Member-Secretary and Director General of Police as Ex officio member. The Government has sanctioned staff strength of thirty-nine for the Commission.

The office of Chairperson fell vacant after Vijaya Rahatkar resigned from the post.

List of Chairperson

 * Vijaya Rahatkar
 * Rupali Chakankar

History and objectives
Maharashtra State Commission for Women was formed to investigate specific problems relating to women and apart from studying women related issues from the state. 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.


 * 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.

Composition
Maharashtra State Commission For Women was formed with a chairperson and other members. The social welfare department of the state makes modalities for appointing the Chairman of the State Commission For Women. Their salary and other emoluments are fixed by state government and revised from time to time.

Rupali Chakankar is the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission For Women. She along with other members will hold office for a period of 3 years.

Activities
Maharashtra 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.


 * 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.


 * 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.