Legal Workshops

          As per section 16 (III) of Kerala Women's Commission Act, the Commission has to submit to Government ''Annual Report'' on the lacunae inadequacies in the laws in force, which affects constitutional rights to equality and fair treatment of women and also on the remedial legislative measures to be taken to meet the situation to monitor the enforcement of laws in force concerning women. In order to facilitate the above purpose, legal workshops are to be conducted. An amount of RS 2 lakh is earmarked for this in the Annual plan for 2002-2003.

District Legal Awareness Seminars

          From the research studies and evaluation programmes conducted by the Commission, it has been revealed that lack of legal awareness of the public, especially women folk, leads to many denial of their genuine rights. Therefore Commission has conducted several legal awareness programmes in different districts. For this purpose an outlay of RS 1.75 lakh is earmarked for the, current financial year.

DNA test

          In majority of the cases involving disputed paternity, render financial difficulties render the petitioners incapable of going for a DNA test to prove their claims. Kerala Women's Commission assists such petitioners to conduct DNA test through Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram and the fee for conducting the test will be met by the commission. An amount of RS 1,00,000/- is earmarked for this purpose for 2002-2003.

Short -stay Home

          Since the inception of the Commission, a 'Short-stay Home' is run by utilising the people's planning of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and as well as plan fund. The Home is meant for giving asylum for a short period to those women with complaints of harassment/atrocities committed against them and are not in a position to return home fearing further cruelty/harassment. They are allowed to stay in the Home, appear before the Commission to settle their disputes and get rehabilitated. For meeting the expenses of this Home, an amount of RS 1.39 lakh is set apart in the plan fund in the current financial year.

Availability of Legal Booklets

          With the financial assistance if United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) the Kerala Women's Commission have published 10,000 copies of 12 legal booklets in Malayalam. These Booklets which can be procured free of cost contains 52 acts, which directly or indirectly affects the rights of women.

Report on Status of Women in Kerala

          With the financial assistance of UNFPA, a report on the status of women in Kerala, based on seven sample studies, is being printed, so as to distribute the same to other State Women Commissions, Educational institutions, planners, administrators, women NGOs, social activists etc.

Mass Awareness Programmes

          Kerala Women's Commission have prepared 20 video films of about 20-25 minutes duration on different topics of gender issues and have already telecast through Doordarshan. VIIS cassettes of these programmes are available with the Commission for arranging video shows wherever required. The Commission have also prepared video spots on subjects like ''Dowry'', Child Marriage'', ''Special Marriage Act'', AIDS and" Safe Sex'', etc. and these are being telecast by Doordarshan Kendra.

Sthree Sakthi - Bimonthly Journal

          Kerala Women's Commission so far publishes six issued of a Malayalam bimonthly journal incorporating different issues related to women.

Non-Government Organisations

          As per Section 14 of Kerala Women's Commission Act 1990, 43 Women's welfare organisations are at present registered with the Commission. These organisations shall assist the Commission in collecting the data regarding conditions of women in society and implementing welfare programmes in the manner required by the Commission from time to time. Registration of women's organisations : Any women's organisation or sections of organisations that stand for women empowerment shall register with the Commission in a prescribed format to the Director - (Lag on to a list of Registered NGOs.)

Case Section

          All matters relating to grievance redressal are dealt with in the section. Petitions alleging criminal offences are sent to the Police Stations for enquiry and report and petty criminal petitions for necessary action. In all other cases summons are issued to the petitioners and counter-petitioners to appear before the Commission for hearing, giving equal opportunity of being heard to both. The cases are decided on merit, based on oral or documentary evidence. All serious allegations of unfair practices are got enquired into by the Director of the Commission as envisaged under Section 17(2) of the Act and appropriate further action taken. Counselling is given to the couples who are willing to submit themselves for counselling. Free legal aid is being given to those who are below the poverty line.

Important Government Orders/Gazette Notifications / Rules / Acts / Application
Form for registration / Ordinance related to the Kerala Women's Commission.

1. G.O (P) No. 9/96SWD dt. 14.3.1996
2. G.O (P) No. 24/97/SWD DT 06.8.1997
3. G.O (MS) No. 45/97/SWD DT 26.12.1997
4. G.O (MS) No. 26/96/SWD DT 06.10.1998
5. G.O (P) No. 12/2001/SWD DT 21.03.2001
6. Kerala Women's Commission Act 1990 (Act 17 of 1995) (Link)
7. G.O (P) No. 8/2001/SWD DT 01.03.2001 (Link)
8. Gazette Notification (Proceedings No. 298/2001/KWC DT 27.06.2001 (Link)
9. G.O (P) No. 20/2001/SWD DT 25.08.2001 (Link)
10. Government Notification No. 3582/Leg. CI/02/Law DT 20.04.2002-05-21
11. Form A (Rule 3(2) KWC) - Application for registration of women's organisation with the Kerala Women's Commission.