BackNCW proposes amendment in 1986 Act
NCW proposes amendment in 1986 Act
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New Delhi: Perturbed over indecent representation of women on television, the National Commission for Women (NCW) is in favour of necessary changes in the law to bring in its ambit the electronic media.
The NCW has proposed certain amendments in the Prohibition of Indecent Representation of Women and Children Act, 1986 to make punishment for those violating it more stringent and make the law applicable to television channels.
A recommendation in this regard has been sent to the ministry of women and child development, NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said at a press conference in the national capital.
To widen the scope of the Act and its applicability, the definition of “advertisement" is also proposed to be amended.
Advertisement will include any notice, circular, label, wrapper or other document, besides visible representation made by means of any light including laser, light and smoke, Vyas said.
Indecent representation of women means depiction of women as a sexual object which is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interests, she said.
It would also include depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman, her form or body or any part thereof in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent, derogatory or denigrating women.
A new clause has been proposed to be included to extend the applicability of the Act to the visual media and computer, including Internet.
A separate chapter on provisions relating to prohibition and penalties has also been proposed by the commission.
Any person who contravenes the provisions shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than two months which may extend to two years, Vyas said.
In the case of second or subsequent conviction, the punishment may be six months which can extend to even five years.
The Central government shall also appoint a Central authority to govern and regulate the manner in which women are represented in any document -- published, broadcast or telecast.
The authority shall be headed by member secretary, NCW and have representatives from advertising standards council of India, Press Council of India, ministry of information and broadcasting and a member experienced in working of women’s issues.
The NCW chairperson said the commission has also started work on the Save the Home- Save the Family project which began in May in collaboration with the Crime Against Women’s Cell, Delhi Police.
The NCW would also form a cell on NRI marriages.
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