State Commission Women (SCW) Member Snigdha Panigarhi on Friday suggested that the tenure of the SCW Chairperson and Members be increased to five years instead of the present three years, besides enhancement of the commission’s powers.
The proposal of the SCW Member assumes significance in the wake of the National Commission for Women’s (NCW) adverse remark on the SCW in connection with the recent murder case of Tikiri UP Schoolteacher Itishree Pradhan.
“A three-year term is very short period on part of the SCW Chairperson and Members to act effectively. Hence, I think enhancement of tenure and powers backed by adequate manpower will facilitate the SCW to act proactively to protect the socioeconomic interests and rights of women,” observed Panigrahi, while participating in a State-level consultation on the status of the SCW here.
The programme was organsied by the Poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS). Participating in the event, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) State head Ambika Prasad Nanda laid emphasis on mass awareness and public discourse to make all excluded and marginalised communities, including the woman fraternity, aware about their duties and rights.
PACS programme manager Priyanka Dale urged the State Government to constitute SC and ST and Minorities Commissions in the line of the State Commission for Women for the larger interests of the marginalised people.