Empowering women key focus, says new NCW chief Sharma

Assuming charge as chairperson of the National Commission for Women on Tuesday, Mamta Sharma said her focus will be on empowering women which in turn will bring down lead atrocities against women as then they will have the strength and knowledge to stand up for their rights.

Assuming charge as chairperson of the National Commission for Women on Tuesday, Mamta Sharma said her focus will be on empowering women which in turn will bring down lead atrocities against women as then they will have the strength and knowledge to stand up for their rights.

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Sharma's other area of major focus will be on the girl child and the next generation of women as in order to build a healthy society, it is imperative to safeguard the interest of young girls, provide them with a safe and healthy environment and bring about attitudinal changes in discriminatory attitudes, a NCW release said.

Earlier, Sharma had served as a member of the Rajasthan legislative assembly as well as president, Rajasthan State Women Congress Committee.

Along with the chairperson, Charu Wali Khanna also took charge as member, NCW. Khanna is an advocate and a women's rights activist.

HT had reported on July 3 that Mamta Sharma was expected to head the women's body, the only national level authority having the mandate of protecting the rights of women across the country.

Even with the new appointments, besides the chairperson, an overburdened NCW will have only two members out of the mandated five. Wansuk Syiem is the other member.

A parliamentary standing committee in the last parliamentary session has strongly recommended an increase in the number of staff in view of increasing complaints.