Background.
The Royal Government of Bhutan established the National Commission for Women and
Children (NCWC) in 2004 as the national machinery to take the lead in promoting and
protecting the rights of women and children in the country. In 2008,
given the rising number of issues and the Commission’s increasing responsibilities,
the Commission was upgraded to a fully autonomous agency under the Royal Government of Bhutan.
The NCWC is governed by a Commission comprising of a Chairperson (Cabinet Minister) and high level officials from relevant government, non-government and the private sector. The NCWC Secretariat is headed by the Director, under whom there are four main Divisions/Services: the Children Division; the Women Division; the Legal Services; and the Secretariat Services. The key focus of the NCWC is to establish a sustainable and comprehensive system
to mainstream, protect and promote the rights of women and children in Bhutan.
Functions:
- Review and formulate gender responsive and child sensitive policies.
- Advocate for gender equality and child sensitive Legislations, Policies and Plans.
- Create awareness, and sensitization for all stakeholders.
- Coordinate and Partner with stakeholders on issues pertaining to women and children.
- Coordinate the preparation and submission of reports at the national, regional and international levels (CRC, CEDAW, UPR, SAARC Conventions, etc).
- Monitor and Evaluate of all activities pertaining to issues related to women and children.
- Mobilize of Resources for NCWC, collaborating partners and relevant implementing NGOs.
- Develop, propose and support Gender Responsive and Children sensitive programs and activities and
Build and strengthen the capacities of Gender Focal Point.
