N.K. Chauhan 
At a consultation organised by the NCW on amendments to criminal law, there was unanimity that marital rape should be criminalised.
The meeting also discussed rising instances of cyber-crime against women and the need for gender-neutral rape laws.
National Commission for Women (NCW)
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is the statutory body constituted under The National Commission for Women Act, 1990.The first commission was constituted on 31st January 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the Chairperson.
The act provides for the constitution of the commission with members nominated by the Central Government, each person holds office for a period of five years or till he attains the age of seventy.
At least one member of the Commission must belong to a SC/ST.
The members of the commission comprise of a Chairperson, who is committed to the cause of women, five members from various fields and a member secretary who shall be an expert in the fields of management, organizational structure, sociological movement or a, member of the civil service of the Union.
The act also empowers the Commission to set up committees with members from outside of it.
The commission is expected to examine, recommend and review the safeguards for women provided by the law and the Constitution and to submit reports on the same.
The commission can take suo moto congnigance of matters relating to women women's right deprivation, non compliance of laws, policies and guidelines and can approach to the appropriate authorities to seek remedies.
The commission ensures that the investigations by the police are expedited and monitored, family disputes are resolved or compromised through counselling.
To provide immediate relief and justice to the victims of violence and atrocities the commission can constitute a committee comprising of experts and lawyers.
These committees makes spot enquiries, examines various witnesses, collects evidence and submits the report with recommendations.
The legal cell of the commission is mandated with carry out legal research for safeguards of women, it can analyze and improve existing laws from time to time and propose new laws and bills.
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