Rekha Sharma (politician)

Rekha Sharma is the current Chairperson of the National Commission for Women in India.[1][2]

Career

Sharma (b c. 1964)[1] graduated from DAV College Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with a degree in Political Science, History and English Literature, and also holds a diploma in Marketing and Advertising.[3] Prior to her appointment to the National Commission for Women (NCW) in August 2015, she was the BJP district secretary and media in-charge in Haryana,[4][5] and a Member of the District Consumer & Redressal Forum in the Government of Haryana.

As NCW Chairperson, Sharma has been a vocal supporter of the rights of women and BJP party who have experienced sexual abuse and rape. She controversially called for the practice of confession in churches to be abolished, after allegations of abuse and blackmail of women who had made confessions.[6] She registered a case of sexual misconduct against a Kerala state Communist Party of India Member of the Legislative Assembly, when the state government said that it was a party matter, and the Kerala Women's Commission said that it could not take action,[7] and urged women to file complaints of sexual harassment with the NCW.

As both a member and chairperson of the NCW, Sharma has visited and inspected psychiatric institutions, prisons, and custodial homes,[1] and advocated for improvements to the conditions of women prisoners. She investigates claims of deprivation of women's rights and liberty,[8][9] and has pursued concerns of Indian women deserted by their NRI husbands living abroad, including issues related to child custody, and of women workers in tea gardens that had been closed. She encourages women to enter politics, but has expressed concerns about a proposed quota system.[10][11]

Sharma has chaired Mahila Jan Sunwais/ Public Hearings across the country, hearing many complaints and directing police to take action.[12] Sharma supports training and sensitisations programs for police,[13][14] and also investigates complaints against police.[15] She has also sought powers to penalise police who do not attend NCW investigations.[13] Married to an Army Officer, she has promoted family welfare programs for spouses and children of army officers.[12]

References
  1. "Rekha Sharma appointed chairperson of NCW". India Today. PTI. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  2. "Rekha Sharma Is New National Commission for Women Chairperson". NDTV.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  3. "Rekha Sharma, Member, National Commission for Women, India". WEF Women Economic Forum. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  4. Dhawan, Himanshi (28 August 2015). "After FTII, BJP netas in women's panel". The Times of India. TNN. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  5. "NCW gets 2 new members, both with BJP links". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 28 August 2015.
  6. "NCW seeks ban on confession". Deccan Chronicle. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  7. "NCW books Sasi for sexual charges, State panel says cannot". Madhyamam,com. PTI. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  8. "Rekha Sharma Chairperson National Commission for Women Lambasts Darjeeling District Administration". The Darjeeling Chronicle. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  9. Chanda, Aishik (18 April 2018). "National Commission for Women condemns TMC government, says 'Emergency-like' situation in Darjeeling". New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  10. "I have reservations about reservation: NCW chief Rekha Sharma on women in politics". The Times of India. PTI. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  11. Express Web Desk (27 July 2018). "Women reservation in politics would only help daughters, wives of politicians: NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma". Indian Express. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  12. Tiwari, Lalita (4 May 2018). "NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma Expresses Concern Over Crimes Against Women In Karnataka". Daily Addaa. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  13. Arora, Parveen (16 March 2018). "NCW chairperson seeks more powers to punish erring officers". The Tribune, India. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  14. "Women's commission sensitises police". The Telegraph, India. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  15. "Rewari gangrape: National Commission for Women says police didn't act promptly to arrest accused". FirstPost. Press Trust of India. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
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