Women Division

The Division looks after the program aspects of the NCWC from a women’s empowerment and gender equality perspective. In line with the functions, the Division is responsible for coordinating and monitoring activities related to women’s rights and preparing periodic reports for submission to treaty bodies like the CEDAW and relevant SAARC Conventions. The Division is also responsible for implementing all activities related to protecting and promoting women’s rights and gender equality. Since the establishment of the Commission in 2004,the Gender Focal Point Network, which comprises focal points in various agencies of the government and non-government sectors, has been a key operational element of the Women Division. The Women and Child Protection Units (WCPU) in the Royal Bhutan Police is an important partner that the Commission works with. Furthermore, the Division also collaborates with numerous government and non-government organizations

Children Division

The Children Division is responsible for implementing and monitoring all activities related to the promotion and protection of the rights of all children in Bhutan. The Division is guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan and other national legislations in particular the Child Care and Protection Act 2011. It also adheres to international and regional treaties on child rights like the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution and the Regional Arrangement for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia. The Division works in close collaboration with the Royal Bhutan Police, the Dratshang Lhentshog (Central Monastic Body) and other government and non-government sectors in addressing child rights issues and takes the lead in monitoring and enforcing the rights of children in the country. With the non-governmental sector, particular focus is on the implementation of welfare and counseling services for children, especially in connection to violence, abuse and exploitation.

Legal Services

The Legal Services (LS) was set up under the NCWC Secretariat in 2012 as a Unit to assist in fulfilling the visions and objectives of the National Commission for Women and Children. The main objective of the Services is “to review, reform, initiate and support policies, plans, projects and activities from a gender equality and children-sensitive perspective.

To pursue the objective, the LS provides legal advice and assistance to the NCWC and other key stakeholders including victims of Domestic Violence, Women and Children in Difficult Circumstances, and Children in Conflict with the Law as per the existing legislations. The Service renders legal support and assists complainants as per existing national laws. Further, the LS is responsible for drafting and reviewing legislations, byelaws, policies and reports related to the protection and promotion of the rights of women and children. The LS also creates awareness on gender and child protection and related laws and legislations in collaboration with the Program Divisions.

The LS also facilitates adoption of children (both domestic adoption and inter-country adoption) as per the provisions of the Child Adoption Act of Bhutan 2012 (CAA) and the Child Adoption Rules and Regulation of Bhutan 2015. The LS carries out post adoption monitoring and evaluation of all children adopted, to ensure their continued well-being until children attain the age of 18 years. In Addition, the LS facilitates Alternative care (Foster/Kinship Care) services as per the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children for those children who do not qualify for adoption.

Protection Services

The Protection Services (PS) was set up under the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) Secretariat in 2018 to assist in fulfilling the visions and objectives of NCWC. In 2021, the Protection Services was upgraded as the separate services through the approval of NCWC OD Exercise. The main objective of the services is “to ensure that the rights of women and children are protected and promoted from a gender equality and children-sensitive perspective”.

To pursue the objective, PS is responsible for providing a platform to receive complaints pertaining to the violation of rights of women and children. The PS generally receives complainants on the violence against women (VAW), children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children in difficult circumstances (CIDC) but not limiting to that as defined under section 59 and section 72 of the Child Care and Protection Act of Bhutan 2011 and Section 4 of Domestic Violence Prevention Act of Bhutan 2013. It also coordinates with the Program Divisions as and when required, and with relevant agencies (particularly RBP, judiciary, local government, Civil Society Organizations) to assist the complainant if the issue is beyond the mandate of the NCWC. The PS follows up and monitors cases to ensure the wellbeing of the victims even after the closure of the cases, until such time that the woman and child victims no longer require assistance.

Further, the PS is responsible for the management of Women and Child Helpline (1098) to ensure the provision of systematic and cohesive services to women and children in need of care and support through Toll Free Helpline. This is also to ensure that services are accessible to victims from any place and to ensure faster response and assistance. The PS is also responsible for management of the Central Management Information System (CMIS) to provide an integrated solution for data collection, management and reporting for NCWC and its stakeholders.

Secretariat Services

The Secretariat Services is responsible for the management of administrative, financial and human resource related issues of the Secretariat. The Division works closely with the Program Divisions to implement activities under the various projects to promote gender equality and empowerment of women, and to strengthen the child protection system. It comprises of 4 Services.

General Administration Services

Provide general administrative support services as per the protocol. Monitor the proper use of the Pool vehicles for official purposes. Participate in procurement services.

Accounts Services

Responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing and improving programs, systems and procedure related to financial matters. Assist in procurement of goods, services and works.

Human Resource Services

Implement procedures on recruitment, selection, placement and other personnel actions affecting movement of staff. Take care of employees’ compensation and benefit issues and maintain personal records. Formulate and implement HRD Master Plan as per the approved Annual Review Plan. Undertake performance appraisal and evaluation of employees in collaboration with other Divisions and Services. Take care of matters concerning attendance, discipline, leave of absence, appointment, promotion, transfer and other personal movements. Secretariat Services

Administration and Finance Services.

The AFD is responsible for the management of administrative, financial and human resource related issues of the Secretariat. The Division works closely with the Program Divisions to implement activities under the various projects to promote gender equality and empowerment of women, and to strengthen the child protection system. The Division maintains accounting records in compliance with the financial rules and regulations in force.

Human Resource Services

Human resource management is another area of responsibility of the AFD. The Division oversees human resource management and development of the staff of the Secretariat.

ICT Unit The services is responsible for

• Administrating, maintaining and developing server and LAN system
• Developing, implementing, reviewing and maintaining computer-based information systems(eg. CMIS, GEMS and Tollfree help line)
• To provide general ICT services to the office staff
• Coordinating the procurement of required hardware and software
• Maintaining and updating the website and official social media
• To format and design office’s documents